The West Virginia University School of Music will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a series of performances this fall that feature patriotic music selections.
“Our concerts through the 2026-27 season will celebrate the United States at 250 years old and showcase the diversity of our ensembles, complete with featured student performances by winners of our annual Young Artists competition,” said Mike Vercelli, director of the School of Music. “We hope you can join us.”
The WVU Wind Symphony will present “From Sea to Shining Sea” in honor of America’s 250th anniversary on Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre at the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center.
The concert opens with Ryan Nowlin’s “Let Freedom Ring,” an exciting brass fanfare based on “My Country ’Tis of Thee.” The concert continues with “Early Light” by Carolyn Bremer, a work that incorporates melodic fragments from “The Star-Spangled Banner” in a driving, dance-like feel. Anchoring the program will be Aaron Copland’s masterful “Lincoln Portrait.” Originally composed for orchestra, and adeptly transcribed for band by Walter Beeler, this composition incorporates a narrator delivering Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The program also features Edwin Franko Goldman’s classic march “On the Mall” and music from John Williams’ score to the film “Far and Away.” The concert will close with composer James David’s “Pulsing Onward: A California Pastorale,” with three connected movements that draw inspiration from three iconic California locations
Keeping with the “America 250” theme, the WVU Symphony Orchestra will present a concert of quintessential American orchestral works on Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.
The concert will open with Dudley Buck’s “Festival Overture on the American National Air,” which was written for the Independence Day celebration of 1879 and has delighted audiences ever since. The concert continues with Florence Price’s “Andante Moderato,” a heartfelt, lyrical piece deeply rooted in African American spirituals, and Aaron Coplan’s suite from the ballet “Appalachian Spring of 1944,” which weaves in Appalachian fiddling styles and a shaker tune to create a memorable image of early settlers in Pennsylvania. Then, the Symphony Orchestra will move into the “West Side Story Selection,” arranged by Jack Mason, which brings together several songs from Leonard Bertstein’s “West Side Story” of 1957 in a tapestry of American musical styles. The performance will conclude with George Gershwin's jazz-influenced tone poem “An American in Paris” of 1928, merging French and American sounds in depicting the atmosphere and feeling Gershwin experienced during a trip to Paris during the Roaring 20s.
West Virginia University's choirs will celebrate the rich culture of America's 250 years on Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.
WVU Choirs will perform music that is inspired by Native Americans, the experiences of immigrants, and the significant contributions of African Americans. Featuring compositions by American composers, the concert will present a diverse repertoire of folk songs, spirituals, contemporary choral works, and cultural expressions, highlighting themes of heritage, resilience, community, and hope. Together, these voices tell a powerful story of shared history and the many traditions that continue to shape our nation.
Other featured concerts in the “America 250” series include:
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Symphonic Band on Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre
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Jazz Ensemble 1 & 2 on Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Students and faculty in the School of Music perform a variety of group and solo performances throughout the semester. See a full calendar of events and learn more about the School of Music at music.wvu.edu.