Kick off our season of American icons with music from New York, by New Yorkers! We’re featuring music by George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, and Aaron Copland, all New Yorkers who created some of the most quintessentially American music of the 20th century. From their apartments in The Big Apple, they captured the sounds not just of New York but the American West and beyond. And in a tribute to the world beyond New York, we will perform Kansas-based composer Alyssa Morris’s Tlapali, Tlahuilli, a dazzling orchestral re-telling of the Aztec myth depicting how the world received its color and light, featuring the principal woodwinds of the SSO.

The Big Apple

Missouri State University

Barber & Hanson

Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center California

EPSG:4326

Celebrating America’s 250 Years

West Side Presbyterian Church

America's 250th Birthday Orchestral Celebration

Cannon Center For The Performing Arts

University of Memphis

ONNY gets an early start on celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday with this stirring program of music by American composers. There’s a reason John Williams has been called a modern-day John Philip Sousa, as there is no one better at stirring feelings of patriotism through his music. And when it comes to celebrating American heroes through music, Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait continues to be the gold standard. The work combines Copland’s rousing music with Lincoln’s powerful words. The program concludes with Howard Hanson stunningly beautiful Symphony No.2, better known by its subtitle, “Romantic.” It promises to be a thoughtful and inspirational tribute to our nation’s semi quincentennial.

Summon the Heroes

Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall

Trinity Episcopal Church Watertown


web thumbs5.jpg
get season tickets
The season finale features a celebration of American voices and symphonic grandeur. Valerie Coleman’s Seven O’Clock Shout, written in honor of frontline workers during the pandemic, leads into Peter Boyer’s patriotic Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue, performed by guest pianist Jeffrey Biegel. Howard Hanson’s choral-orchestral Song of Democracy and Respighi’s sweeping Pines of Rome bring the season to a majestic close.

Pursuit of Happiness

Natrona County High School

Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic

Carnegie Music Hall of Oakland

Join us for the spring performance of the Michigan Youth Symphonic Band, the Michigan Youth Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra. These ensembles are part of the Michigan Youth Ensembles (MYE) program, which brings together exceptional high school students for weekly rehearsals at SMTD. MYE Students, who are selected by audition, have the opportunity to engage in a stimulating environment, while learning from U-M conductors, applied faculty, and graduate students.

Michigan Youth Symphonic Band / Philharmonia Orchestra / Symphony Orchestra Spring Performance

University of Michigan

This concert is all about transformation, through music and through personal growth. Jessica Meyer’s Turbulent Flames brings raw energy and emotional depth. PYP is proud to be part of the national consortium that commissioned this bold new work, spotlighting a composer whose voice deserves far more recognition.

Flames of Transformation

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Share in the inspiration as Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, our professional orchestra and the young members of the Youth Philharmonic come together for an unforgettable side-by-side performance. The Sarasota Youth Orchestras' alumni frequently describe this concert as one of the most electrifying experiences from their time in Sarasota Orchestra’s education programs—one that inspires many to pursue music careers of their own. The Youth Philharmonic is the most advanced of the eight Sarasota Youth Orchestras ensembles.

Side-by-side Concert

Riverview High School

Voices Of America: Come Sunday

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Step into the rich soundscape of American music with a concert that celebrates sweeping melodies, heartfelt lyricism, and bold orchestral colors. William Schuman’s New England Triptych sets the stage with vibrant energy, drawing inspiration from the spirit of early American composer William Billings. Rising star Amaryn Olmeda then takes the spotlight in Barber’s Violin Concerto, a masterpiece of lush beauty and breathtaking virtuosity. The evening reaches a glorious conclusion with Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2, "Romantic", a soaring work filled with passion, grandeur, and one of the most unforgettable melodies in American symphonic music.

Romance & Revolution

Williamsburg Community Chapel

The Purcell School Symphony Orchestra returns to Cadogan Hall with a romantic programme of big tunes and lush orchestration, inspired by the movies of the 1940s.

This year’s Purcell School Concerto Competition winner, Julia Majewska, is an exciting young violinist who brings passion and verve to the fireworks of the exquisite Korngold Violin Concerto.

Part of Howard Hanson’s Symphony from 1930 was John Williams’ template for E.T., and Doreen Carwithen was the first British woman to write consistently for Hollywood. Walton’s orchestral showpiece from the film The First of the Few completes the programme.

The Purcell School Symphony Orchestra

Cadogan Hall 

The American Symphony

Heritage Middle School

Going Big

St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral

From haunting drama to epic adventure, this evening explores the deep connection between orchestral music and film. Mussorgsky’s thrilling Night on Bald Mountain, famously featured in Disney’s Fantasia, sets the stage with its dark, dramatic energy. Vaughan Williams’ lyrical Prelude from 49th Parallel captures the emotional heart of a wartime story, while Hanson’s lush and romantic Symphony No. 2, used in the final scene of Alien, showcases emotional depth behind bold storytelling.

YOSA Presents: Cinema Classics

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Gershwin Concerto in F

Hemmens Auditorium

The Journey Begins

Asbury United Methodist Church

Portland Youth Philharmonic’s Chamber Orchestra Camerata continues its 101st season with a mesmerizing program featuring both contemporary and classical works. The concert opens with the highly anticipated performance by the Concerto Competition Runner-up, Haruka Sakiyama, showcasing one of PYP’s emerging talents.

Camerata PYP: Sound Garden Series

Patricia Reser Center for the Arts

Walters Cultural Arts Center

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Montgomery, Brahms, Hanson

Decorah High School

Join us for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra's 75th Diamond Celebration on April 26, 2025, at 7:30 PM, held at the prestigious Potter Center. This landmark event marks a significant milestone in the orchestra's history, celebrating 75 years of musical excellence and community engagement. The evening promises an unforgettable concert experience, featuring a unique collaboration with esteemed partners including the Jackson School of the Arts, Jackson Youth Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Chelsea, and Jackson Chorale.

The concert will showcase a collage of captivating music, nostalgic videos, and reflections on the orchestra's impactful history. Under the baton of special guests Stephen Osmond, Richard Sherman, Ralph Votapek, and Mitsuru Kubo, the program will span classics to contemporary pieces, highlighting the diversity and spirit of collaboration that defines the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.

The program schedule includes masterpieces such as Johann Strauss, Jr.'s "Fledermaus: Overture," César Franck's "Symphonic Variations," Edward Elgar's "Nimrod from Enigma Variations," and Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Finale: Allegro con fuoco from Symphony No.4," among others. The concert will have a runtime of approximately 2 hours.

Before the concert, attendees are invited to a free, interactive lecture at 6:30 PM, offering insights into the evening's program and the opportunity to engage with the music on a deeper level.

Following the concert, the celebration continues with an afterparty sponsored by Rehmann. This event offers a great opportunity to mingle with musicians, guest artists, composers, and fellow symphony fans. The afterparty will feature entry, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks, all included in the $20 ticket price.

Individual tickets for this monumental celebration go on sale September 1st. Don't miss your chance to be part of this historic event, celebrating 75 years of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra's contribution to the arts and community.

75th Diamond Celebration

Jackson College

Dvořák and Strauss

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Passion and Poetry, March 30 at The Lerner Theatre, presents a captivating side-by-side concert with the Goshen High School Symphony Orchestra. The performance brings together established and budding musicians from all throughout Elkhart County, and guides the audience through a repertoire including Suppe, Poet & Peasant Overture; Hanson, Symphony No. 2, Op. 30 ‘Romantic’; and collaborative work(s) with the Goshen High School Symphony.

Elkhart County Symphony – Passion & Poetry

The Lerner Theatre 

Passion & Poetry

Join us for an unforgettable musical journey with the Greenwich Symphony on March 22 & 23, 2025, at the Performing Arts Center at Greenwich High School, located at 10 Hillside Road, Greenwich, CT. Experience the magic of live orchestral music under the baton of the esteemed Stuart Malina, who will not only conduct but also showcase his prowess on the piano.

This special weekend features performances on Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm, offering a program that promises to enchant and inspire. The evening will open with Aaron Copland's evocative "Suite from Billy the Kid," followed by Howard Hanson's lush "Symphony No. 2 Romantic." Highlighting the event, George Gershwin's "Piano Concerto in F" will display the dynamic interplay between orchestra and piano, with Stuart Malina himself at the keyboard. Additionally, Ariel Rudiakov will grace the podium as a guest conductor, adding another layer of excitement to the performance.

Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the power of classical music, performed by the talented musicians of the Greenwich Symphony. It's an event that promises to be as memorable as it is melodious.

GSO March concert 2025

Greenwich High School

Back by popular demand, American pianist Garrick Ohlsson is known worldwide as a musician of magisterial interpretive and technical prowess.  Join us for what promises to be a masterful performance of Rachmaninoff’s most celebrated, intensely impassioned Second Piano Concerto composed during the turn of the century.  “Melody is the music and the foundation of all music,” said Rachmaninoff. During one of his tours in the United States, he noted what still holds true today, “These Americans cannot get enough of it.”   

Garrick Ohlsson, piano

Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

The concert begins with Chokfi’: Sarcasm for String Orchestra and Percussion by Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate. This piece is a “character sketch” of a trickster character in Southeast American Indian legends named “Chokfi’”–– a rabbit person with a “complicated and diabolical personality.” In a dramatic shift to the mid-18th century, soloist Evan Kahn, the distinguished principal cellist of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, will charm you with the classic and joyous Haydn Concerto in C Major. The program concludes with American composer Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2 in Db Major, a piece said to reflect his Scandinavian heritage and “the wide, open sound of the American frontier.” 

Music as Legend

Arkley Center for the Performing Arts

Don’t miss Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s patriotic concert, featuring Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G Minor and Sousa’s Glory of the Yankee Navy.

“Traditions, Old & New” concert

Brazosport College

Music of Copland, Hanson and Jessie Montgomery

Annual Stanford Concert with Stanford Symphonic Chorus

Stanford University

The Stanford Symphonic Chrorus, under the direction of Stephen M. Sano, presents their 2024 Fall Concert program from the main stage of Bing Concert Hall with the Peninsula Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mitchell Sardou Klein.

Stanford Symphonic Chorus & Peninsula Symphony Orchestra: An American Celebration

American Mosaic

The Palace Theatre Greensburg

The grand opening of the season presents breathtaking works by some of the great American composers of the last century. Following our rousing National Anthem, we continue with John William’s electrifying Olympic Fanfare and Theme, composed for the opening of 1984 Olympic games held in Los Angeles Olympics. It has all the brilliance of his well-known film scores and immediately establishes the uniquely American flavor of our program. Composer Joseph Wood had a major career, teaching at Oberlin from 1950 to 1985, following musical training at Juilliard, service in the U.S. Army, and a Master’s degree from Columbia. He wrote many solo works, numerous chamber music pieces, and four symphonies, and his music has been performed around the world. It is a profound pleasure to share his much-lauded Poem for Orchestra from 1950. Of particular note for us is that his daughter is long-time LSO concertmaster, Lorna Wood, who retired at the end of last season! The two other major composers on the program were direct contemporaries of Joseph Wood, and we are delighted to present Samuel Barber’s beautiful Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with guest artist, tenor Jonathan Pilkington, and Howard Hanson’s stunning Symphony No. 2, the “Romantic”.

American Fanfare

Callaway Auditorium

Eastern Festival Orchestra: Festival Finale

Guilford College

All concerts are FREE of admission charge and are held at the Bridges Hall of Music.

CYSO 2024 June Concert

Pomona College

Images that Inspire

Julie Rogers Theatre

RPYO musicians sit alongside RPO musicians for this annual collaboration concert with music focused on the endless journey of self-discovery; the process of figuring out what matters most as well as the trials and tribulations inherent in actualizing one’s own vision artistically and personally. The program begins with the premiere of a new work by RPYO Alum Evan Henry which explores his passion for poetry and myths. After which, we’ll hear Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, which tells the tale of the two star-crossed lovers as they seek to forge their own path together despite the unyielding feud between their families. Finally, we’ll arrive at Howard Hanson’s beloved “Romantic” Symphony which sought to establish an American Neo-Romantic style.

RPYO & RPO Side-by-side: Finding Your Voice

Eastman Theatre

Join us on February 25, 2024, for a mesmerizing evening as the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra (BSO) presents "Celebrating the Americas" at the Gideon Ives Auditorium within the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center. This special concert, under the baton of esteemed Music Director & Conductor Manny Laureano, with the talented Clare Longendyke on piano, promises an unforgettable journey through the rich tapestry of American orchestral music.

The evening's program features an inspiring selection of works that highlight the diversity and vibrancy of the Americas. Experience the seductive rhythms of Arturo Márquez's Danzón No. 2, a premiere performance that showcases the musical heritage of Mexico. Revel in the iconic melodies of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, brought to life by Clare Longendyke's exquisite piano performance. The concert will conclude with Howard Hanson's Symphony No. 2, Op. 30, "Romantic," a piece renowned for its lush harmonies and emotional depth, which has influenced generations of composers, including John Williams.

The BSO, a cornerstone of the Twin Cities' musical community for over 60 years, continues its mission to bring music lovers and accomplished musicians together for inspirational performances. "Celebrating the Americas" is a testament to this mission, expanding the orchestra's commitment to American composers and including influential works from North America.

The concert will take place at the Gideon Ives Auditorium, located at 11411 Masonic Home Drive, Bloomington, with free parking available and full ADA accessibility. Tickets are available for advance purchase, with prices at $17 for adults and $14 for seniors (62+), and at the door for $19 for adults and $16 for seniors, subject to availability. Premium seating is offered at $25 per ticket, with limited availability. Students can enjoy the concert for free with a valid ID.

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the rich musical heritage of the Americas with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. Reserve your seats now and be part of an evening that promises to be both enlightening and exhilarating.

Celebrating the Americas!

Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center

The Greatest Love Stories Presented by New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving

Carpenter Hall

Help us celebrate three iconic American composers in this concert featuring music by Bernstein, Copland, and Hanson. Bursting with American folk music influences, Appalachian Spring was inspired by the music and culture of the American South. You’ll follow a young bride and groom on their wedding day and hear familiar tunes like “Simple Gifts.” Also on the program, hear music by pianist, composer, and long-time New York Philharmonic Music Director, Leonard Bernstein, and Howard Hanson—a major force in the development of American music through his work as director of the Eastman School of Music.

All-American Masters

DeVos Performance 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

Vitality, a new work by Michigan composer Gala Flagello, will open the concert to share music, and meet you.

You have been asking for the Gray Chapel organ,  and we have it for you a second time! The Poulenc, one of the most performed organ concertos, will be performed by concert organist Amanda Mole from Columbus as the soloist.

November Concert 

Ohio Wesleyan University

Prepare to be transported to a world of musical wonder at this incredible concert featuring Michael Torke's dynamic Bright Blue Music, Debussy's ethereal Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, the magnificent Howard Hanson Symphony No. 2, "Romantic," and a world premiere composed by Todd Goodman, former composer-in-residence of the ASO. This world premiere will feature the trio Eastern Standard, comprised of Heidi Lucas, horn; Zach Collins, tuba; and Jacob Ertl, piano.

Colorful Connections

Mishler Theatre

The Wilmington Symphony opens the 2023-2024 season with Romantic Masters on October 7th. The night will feature the incredibly talented Alon Goldstein on piano, performing Beethoven's magnificent Piano Concerto No. 5, the "Emperor," and Howard Hanson's enchanting Symphony No. 2, the "Romantic." Don't hesitate to secure your tickets and be swept away by the beauty and grandeur of these Romantic Masters.

Romantic Masters

Cape Fear Community College

This all-American concert features four composers whose music I’ve so enjoyed both conducting and listening to over the years. Copland’s Appalachian Spring is such a beloved work and distinctly American in character. Rhapsody in Blue is a piece I performed with orchestras years ago and is a perennial favorite. The Chairman Dances was a prequel to John Adams’ opera Nixon in China, of which I had the privilege to conduct the world premiere performance.

American Rhapsody

Overture Center for the Arts

This all-American concert features four composers whose music I’ve so enjoyed both conducting and listening to over the years. Copland’s Appalachian Spring is such a beloved work and distinctly American in character. Rhapsody in Blue is a piece I performed with orchestras years ago and is a perennial favorite. The Chairman Dances was a prequel to John Adams’ opera Nixon in China, of which I had the privilege to conduct the world premiere performance. Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2 (Romantic) is way overdue for the MSO and our audiences to experience. In fact, I have received many requests to perform this work of great beauty and passion. And, of course, you won’t want to miss the MSO debut of the sensational pianist Terrence Wilson.

A great love, divided by distance, this concert is all about sharing a bond that can traverse the globe. Immerse yourself in the tender sentiments as we bring to life an array of exquisite compositions. Each piece is a heartfelt Love Letter penned by a brilliant composer who sought to express the indescribable magic of love.

2023: Love Letters

Church of the Holy Apostles

May Concert

El Portal Theater

Howard Hanson explored two ancient hymns in counterpoint, while Florence Price used spirituals as inspiration, weaving them around into complex tapestries of sound.

You can feel the expansiveness of a cathedral in Adolphus Hailstork’s joyful Sonata da Chiesa.

And we offer three very different prayers: Carson Cooman’s meditative Prayer of St. Ambrose, Alan Hovhaness’s mystical Prayer of St. Gregory and Joaquin Turina’s fiery Prayer of the Bullfighter.

Looking Toward Heaven

First Church Boston

WashU students will have the opportunity to perform for Mark Sparks and receive feedback in front of an audience.


Masterclass with Mark Sparks, flute

560 Music Center

Embark on a musical odyssey that embraces the past through a modern lens! Opening with Valerie Coleman’s 2021 “Fanfare for Uncommon Times”, this program presents new takes on old ideas. Gulda’s rhythmic “Cello Concerto” runs the gamut of musical styles from Renaissance Dance to Rock and Roll, German Ländler to big band jazz, and everything in between! “Oiseaux bleus et sauvages” (Birds Blue and Wild), Morlock’s playful take on birdsong, embodies a sense of mysticism. And pioneering American composer Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2 “Romantic” combines power and tenderness reminiscent of 19th century Romanticism.

Past And Present Sounds

Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center

The Friends of Music Concerto & Aria Competition is open to students of Washington University in St. Louis.  The winner will perform with the Washington University Symphony Orchestra in the 22-23 season and will receive a Friends of Music $500 merit award. 

Friends of Music Concerto & Aria Competition

In celebration of "Parent & Family Weekend" WUSTL MUSIC students will perform solo and chamber works.

Department of Music Showcase

Dance across America with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra; drive in an old Model T Ford down historical, winding Colorado roads with James David; read a New York newsreel with William Schuman; and experience the jazzy All-American symphonies of Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber! Join us for a night of musical storytelling and interpreting America’s musical identity.

ON the move: american snapshots

University of Northern Colorado

Breathe deep, open your mind, and stretch your arms wide with us as we celebrate our vast American landscape. From the wide-spaced harmonies of An Outdoor Overture and Howard Hanson’s cinematic “Romantic” Symphony, through the celestial expanse of Jennifer Higdon’s meditation on loss, to Dvořák’s jubilant Te Deum, tonight we explore what lies beyond the horizon. 

Under Open Skies

DECC Symphony Hall

Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Barber’s Symphony No. 1 frame an evening of American vision and vitality. Caroline Shaw’s Music in Common Time adds contemporary rhythmic energy before Copland’s Lincoln Portrait features guest narrator Dan Carlin, host of the acclaimed Hardcore History podcast. The program culminates in Hanson’s Song of Democracy, with the Eugene Symphony Chorus, a sweeping affirmation of resilience and the enduring power of American voices.

Howard Hanson

Events

Upcoming events

Oct 17, 2026

ON the move: american snapshots · Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra

Nov 21, 2026

Under Open Skies · Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra

Mar 11, 2027

Appalachian Spring Lincoln Portrait Copland · Eugene Symphony

Past events

Sep 12, 2026

The Big Apple · Springfield Symphony Orchestra

Jun 27, 2026

Barber & Hanson · Orchestra Santa Monica

About

Howard Hanson hasn't added a bio