06/03/2026
Every nation has a musical story. America’s is one of transformation and courage.
Our first subscription concert of the year, Music of a New America, traces that journey: from the grandeur of the German Romantic tradition to the folk melodies of the British Isles, from the influence of French modernism to the cinematic brilliance of Hollywood, culminating in a uniquely American symphonic voice.
The evening begins with the electrifying overture to Der Freischütz by Carl Maria von Weber - one of the foundational works of German Romantic opera.
From there, we move into the music of living American composer Holland Albright and his radiant Tree of Life.
Rebecca Dale’s Soay offers a moment of intimacy and reflection. Based on a traditional melody from the Scottish Isles, this lush and lyrical work for solo violin and orchestra celebrates the enduring role of folk music in shaping both American classical music and the popular traditions that followed.
No exploration of American music would be complete without Hollywood. Few composers have shaped modern musical culture more profoundly than John Williams, whose scores have become part of the global musical imagination. The iconic “Raiders March” from Raiders of the Lost Ark captures everything audiences love about Williams’s music - adventure, heroism, energy, and unforgettable melody.
The concert concludes with the powerful and deeply moving Symphony No. 2 by William Grant Still. Often called the “Dean of African American Composers,” Still left medical school to pursue music, forging a remarkable career that crossed genres and traditions.
"Music of a New America" celebrates not only these remarkable composers, but the generations of musical traditions, cultures, and stories that helped shape the sound of America itself.
