Conductor

Jon Kimura Parker, a veteran of the international concert stage, brings his infectious enthusiasm to Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto, which travels from turbulence to serenity to exuberance. Brahms’ astonishing Fourth Symphony is a perennial audience favorite. The program opens with a personal touch in the premiere of Horizons, a commission from American composer Peter Boyer to honor longtime Sarasota Orchestra Artistic Administrator Pat Joslyn.

EPSG:4326

Grand Treasures

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Sarasota Orchestra presents Grand Treasures

Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” is a powerful tribute to the American spirit. Calvin Custer’s “A Salute to the Big Apple” follows, celebrating the vibrant energy of New York City. George Gershwin’s famous “Rhapsody in Blue,” featuring guest pianist Jeffrey Biegel, blends classical music with jazz influences in an iconic American masterpiece. 

50 Together For All

Kahilu Theatre

Rhapsody In Blue

Veterans Memorial Auditorium

### Event Description: Ellis Island: Dream of America

**Date and Time:**
- **Saturday, March 8, 2025**
- **7:30 PM - 9:30 PM**

**Location:**
- **Coronado Performing Arts Center**
- **314 North Main Street, Rockford, IL, 61101, United States**

**Event Overview:**
Join the Rockford Symphony Orchestra for a captivating evening celebrating the rich history of immigration in Rockford through the powerful performance of "Ellis Island: Dream of America." This concert will feature cinematic music intertwined with poignant excerpts from the diaries of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island, composed by Peter Boyer.

**Program Highlights:**
- **Kinan Azmeh, clarinet**
- **Marquez, Conga del Fuego**
- **Azmeh, Suite for Improvisor and Orchestra**
- **Boyer, Ellis Island: Dream of America**

**Special Guest:**
- **Kinan Azmeh**, a contemporary immigrant and renowned clarinetist, will perform as both composer and soloist in his piece, "Suite for Improvisor and Orchestra."

**Cultural Significance:**
Rockford's unique culture, shaped by its diverse immigrant population, will be celebrated through this musical journey. The overture "Conga del Fuego" will pay homage to the region’s vibrant Latino community.

**Tickets:**
- **Subscription:** Available now
- **Single Tickets:** On sale starting July 1

**Additional Information:**
- **Add to Calendar:** [Google Calendar](#) | [ICS](#)

Experience an evening of moving music and storytelling that honors the dreams and journeys of America's immigrants. Don't miss this extraordinary event at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.

Ellis Island: Dream of America

Friends of the Coronado

Mahler Symphony No. 1

Ambassador Auditorium

Experience the evocative power of Mahler's Symphony No. 1, also known as "Titan," as it resonates through the magnificent Ambassador Auditorium. Under the masterful baton of conductor Brett Mitchell, this symphonic masterpiece will transport you through a journey of lush orchestral landscapes and profound emotional depths. The evening will also feature the virtuosic talents of Akiko Suwanai, one of the world's leading violinists, performing Korngold's Violin Concerto. This concerto, with its rich, cinematic textures, promises to captivate and enchant. Adding to the evening's allure, composer Peter Boyer's "New Beginnings" will set the stage with its vibrant and contemporary orchestral flair. This concert is a celebration of musical brilliance, bringing together timeless classics and modern compositions in a harmonious blend. Join us for an unforgettable evening of symphonic splendor.

Join us on this Starry Night as the BSO opens our 71st season with the Eastern US Premiere of Peter Boyer’s Horizons. The eclectic program also features Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, When You Wish Upon a Star, music from Star Trek: Into Darkness, and even an ABBA Medley.

Brevard Symphony Orchestra Signature Series Opening Night: Starry Night

King Center for the Performing Arts

Join the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO) for a spectacular evening celebrating American music at its finest with the concert event "American Rhapsody." This special performance is set to take place on September 21st, from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM at the DECC Symphony Hall, located at 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802.

"American Rhapsody" marks the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," a cornerstone of American music. The DSSO is thrilled to feature internationally acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Biegel, who will breathe life into Gershwin's masterpiece. The concert will also premiere Peter Boyer's "Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue," a vibrant new work that pays tribute to Gershwin's legacy. Additionally, the program includes Antonin Dvorak's "American Suite" and Samuel Barber's "Symphony No.1," showcasing the rich tapestry of American music.

This event promises to be an unforgettable night of music that celebrates the spirit and innovation of American composers. Don't miss your chance to experience this unique blend of classic and contemporary works performed by the talented musicians of the DSSO.

Tickets are available for purchase now. For more information and to secure your seats, visit the DSSO website or contact the box office at 218-623-DSSO (3776). The office, located at 506 West Michigan Street, Suite 7, Duluth, MN 55802, is open weekdays from 10am-5pm. Join us for an evening of exceptional music and community celebration.

American Rhapsody

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

Celebrate Independence Day with a FREE CONCERT. Gather in the comfort of the Pikes Peak Center and hear an exhilarating array of patriotic favorites and fanfares that resonate with the spirit of America.

Star Spangled Symphony

Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts

Witness the captivating brilliance of pianist Vijay Venkatesh as he performs Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto, a masterpiece filled with passion and virtuosity. Accompanying this grand composition is Peter Boyer's poignant 'Ellis Island: The Dream of America,' a musical narrative that echoes the hopes and dreams of immigrants. Experience a concert where piano mastery meets orchestral grandeur, creating a symphonic journey through the emotions of the human spirit.

Rach 3 & The American Dream

Lancaster Country Day School

Yo-Yo Ma returns! One of the most important artists of our time, Yo-Yo Ma’s musicianship and soulful playing are unmatched. He has performed for audiences around the world and is a true ambassador for both music and humanity.

Ma strives to foster connections that stimulate the imagination and reinforce our humanity. A UN Messenger of Peace, he has partnered with communities and institutions across the globe to develop programs advocating for a more human-centered world. He is the recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize the National Medal of the Arts, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Kennedy Center Honors, the Polar Music Prize, and the Birgit Nilsson Prize.

Come feel the joy, the magic, and the emotion, at this very special one-night-only concert.

Yo-Yo Ma

Linda Ronstadt Music Hall

Open Rehearsal: Symphonie Fantastique

Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The VETS)

The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, together with orchestras across the country, was proud to join the nationwide commission for “Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue” with a goal of performances in all fifty states.

Masterworks 5 American Celebration

North Dakota State University

This concert includes two of the most iconic pieces of American music: Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring Suite, and George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Pianist Jeffrey Biegel, a longtime champion of Gershwin’s Rhapsody, commissioned acclaimed American composer Peter Boyer to compose a new work in celebration of that work’s centennial in February 2024. Boyer’s brand new Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue is being performed by orchestras around the United States, and the composer will conduct his own work for this SSO concert. Completing the program are Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, and the bravura Fanfare Ritmico by Jennifer Higdon.

An American Celebration

Symphony Hall, Springfield

In Person Masterwork #4

Williamsburg Community Chapel

This program draws on connections to Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley while honoring Ochsner’s Finnish-American roots.

Unknown & Gorgeous: River & Iron

Stambaugh Auditorium

The culmination of decades-long artistry and mentorship, The Maestro and His Maestro showcases the synergy between Maestros Lawrence Golan and Robert Spano as they spearhead an inspiring performance that charts the generations. Conductors from the DPO’s 4th Annual International Conducting Workshop will trade off movements within a program which spans musical eras and genres, competing for a chance to return and conduct the orchestra at a future DPO concert in 2024-25.

The Maestro and His Maestro

Central Presbyterian Church Denver

George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” is celebrating its centennial. The 1924 musical composition by the iconic George Gershwin is one of his most recognizable creations in American music history. To celebrate the centennial, pianist Jeffrey Biegel created the Rhapsody National Initiative and, Peter Boyer composed a new work for piano and orchestra inspired by the iconic masterpiece. The new work is titled by Mr. Biegel for Mr. Boyer to compose: “Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue.” To showcase this new work, Biegel envisioned the initiative, where the new work is performed in every state over three years. It is a three-year project for 50 states to have their performances of the new work symbolizing the American flag, while celebrating our diversity and unity through music.

A “Rhapsody in Red, White, And Blue”

Florida SouthWestern State College

What do YOU stand for? What does it mean to stand for something? How does one do so? Join Associate Conductor Moon Doh, along with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and special guests, for a dynamic exploration of musicians, dancers, poets, and other leaders who have used the power of the arts to express their core convictions.

Schooltime: The Courage to Stand

Heinz Hall

Celebrating the centennial of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, pianist Jeffrey Biegel pairs this iconic work with the Louisiana premiere of a new American rhapsody by Peter Boyer. Hanson’s “Romantic” Symphony overflows with lyricism.

Willis-Knighton Masterworks Series: Rhapsody in Blue

Riverview Theatre

The NMSO joins a 50-state consortium to present the Mississippi premiere of a new work for piano and orchestra written by Grammy-nominated composer Peter Boyer. This new work, Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue, was written as a companion piece  to George Gershwin’s famous Rhapsody in Blue, which is also featured on the program.

Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue

Link Centre Concert Hall

Gershwin, Boyer, and Rosauro

St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

DesertView Performing Arts Center

Enjoy a blend of jazz and classical music with our opening concert of the season. The program features Peter Boyer's dynamic “Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue” and the iconic “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin. The concert also includes Beethoven's mighty “Symphony No. 5,” which exudes the same enthusiasm and energy as a rhapsody. With the renowned pianist Jeffrey Biegel as soloist on Boyer and Gershwin, this concert is not to be missed.

Rhapsodies

Buddy Holly Hall

Hop on board with the FVSO at our Voyages concert featuring Peter Boyer’s phenomenal work “Ellis Island: The Dream of America” which combines music, images, and spoken word from immigrants that traveled to the United States from 1892 to 1954. This classical concert will take you overseas to experience the immigrant journey to a new world.

Voyages

University of Saint Joseph

We all share a love for our homeland, and in this final event of our season, we celebrate some of the voices which combine to make Juneau our home. From iconic American music by Aaron Copland, to the Alaska premiere of Peter Boyer's Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue with internationally renowned pianist Jeffrey Biegel, to original works from Juneau singer-songwriter Annie Bartholomew, we'll be celebrating what it means to be an Alaskan and an American. A special performance of music from Four Moons by Louis Ballard, widely regarded to be the father of Native American composition, marking the first time the JUneau Symphony has performed music by an Indigenous composer. 

Summer Mainstage Concert - Homelands

Juneau-Douglas High School

Thomas Wilkins leads a true celebration of American music! Experience the charm of Copland’s iconic ballet Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes, followed by Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with 18-time Grammy-winning banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck. To close, the NSO presents the world premiere of Peter Boyer and Joseph Sohm’s American Mosaic, an NSO co-commission featuring stunning video imagery, powerful live narration, and quintessential American melodies to celebrate the land, people, and spirit of the United States for its 250th birthday.

American Mosaic

Kennedy Center

Join Artistic and Music Director Designate Alexander Shelley and pianist Conrad Tao for a bold celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Experience Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F alongside the West Coast premiere of Peter Boyer and Joe Sohm's American Mosaic, a powerful reflection of America’s diverse and dynamic spirit. This concert honors our nation’s past, present, and future—an unforgettable tribute to 250 years of cultural innovation.

Peter Boyer

Conductor

Events

Upcoming events

May 31 - Jun 1, 2025

Summer Mainstage Concert - Homelands · Juneau Symphony

19 - 22 Feb, 2026

American Mosaic · National Symphony Orchestra

28 - 30 May, 2026

Shelley Conducts America at 250 · Pacific Symphony

Past events

4 - 6 Apr, 2025

Grand Treasures · Sarasota Orchestra

4 - 6 Apr, 2025

Sarasota Orchestra presents Grand Treasures · Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

About

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