Composer

Our season concludes with three iconic compositions and two orchestral world premieres. Bernstein’s toe-tapping Three Dance Episodes from On the Town, Copland’s distinctively American Appalachian Spring Suite, and Gershwin’s jazz-infused Rhapsody in Blue are paired with two works rooted in Western New York. Michael Daugherty’s Niagara Falls is a musical journey through one of the world’s great scenic wonders, while Buffalo-born Paul Moravec’s Serenade—inspired by the Great Western Staircase at the New York State Capitol, a marvel of intricate sculpture and history—offers a stirring narrative of ascent and aspiration.

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American Soundscapes

Kleinhans Music Hall

Concert conducted by John Axelrod (UNDER 35)

Teatro Malibran

John Axelrod conducts Daugherty, Copland and Ives

Join us for our closing Masterworks concert of the season with an evening of orchestral splendor featuring harpist Courtney Hershey-Bress. The program includes Berlioz’s spirited Hungarian March, Michael Daugherty’s captivating Harp of the Age, and Mussorgsky’s iconic Pictures at an Exhibition.

Orchestral Brilliance

Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts

Step into a soundscape where brilliant rhythms and bold expression ignite the senses. From Piazzolla’s tango-infused intensity to an evocative new work by Henry Dorn, each piece shines with character and emotion. Guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas lends his virtuosic flair to Michael Daugherty’s groundbreaking Bay of Pigs and Rodrigo’s distinctive Concierto de Aranjuez, while Williams’ Primera Suite Argentina captures the vibrant pulse of Latin American tradition. Prepare for an experience rich in feeling, complexity, and extraordinary artistry.

Radiance in Rhythm

First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley

Presidio Theatre Performing Arts Center

Sonoma State University

Primarily for non-music majors who desire a concert band experience, the University and Campus Bands are open to the entire U-M community and offer a great opportunity to enjoy an immersive musical experience and to learn from SMTD’s renowned faculty. The University Band is the most advanced non-music-major band and placement is by audition. Campus Band is open to any student with experience.

Campus & University Bands

University of Michigan

Modest Mussorgsky’s inspiration for “Pictures at an Exhibition” came from an art exhibition of paintings by his recently departed friend, Viktor Hartmann. Full of emotional ups and downs, this masterpiece takes you on a vivid journey through Mussorgsky’s imagination with each note echoing the brush strokes of a different painting. Premiered in May 2023, “Harp of Ages” reflects on one of the oldest instruments – the harp. Featuring seven eclectic pieces each inspired by a memorable figure associated with the harp including comedian Harpo Marx, poet Sister Juana of Mexico, and from the original Star Trek TV series, Nyota Uhura.

Harp of Ages & Pictures at an Exhibition

McAninch Arts Center

Join us at our “Picture Studies” concert where the University Wind Ensemble presents evocative and illuminating repertoire composed by living composers. Repertoire includes Quinn Mason’s Dallas Arts District Fanfare, Shuying LI’s Starry Ocean, Michael Daugherty’s Passicaglia in Primary Colors, and Adam Schoenberg’s Picture Studies. The 2025 Wind Band Student Concerto Competition winner will also be featured in this concert.

University Wind Ensemble "Picture Studies"

University of Minnesota

Soar through an exhilarating evening of music that captures the thrill of flight and the spark of innovation. Experience the thrill of soaring melodies in John Williams’ Flying Scene from E.T., the electrifying fusion of jazz and orchestral power in Michael Daugherty’s Blue Electra, and the emotional grandeur of Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. This concert lifts you to new heights of musical discovery.

St.Clair Conducts Williams, Daugherty & Brahms

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

“The new creature eats too much fruit. We are going to run short, most likely,” muses Adam in Mark Twain’s sardonic retelling of the story of Genesis. This evening’s concert features composer Michael Daugherty’s setting of The Diaries of Adam & Eve for two narrators and two musicians, as well as Baroque church sonatas by Arcangelo Corelli, all in the beautiful sanctuary and showcasing the Steiner-Reck organ of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Whitesburg Drive.

The Diaries of Adam & Eve

Von Braun Center

The third concert in our America 250 series opens with Ernest Bloch’s Schelomo: Hebraic Rhapsody. This biblically-inspired work will feature our own Principal Cello Andre Gaskins portraying the voice of King Solomon. A piece for all the people, the evening’s finale will be the Metropolis Symphony by Michael Daugherty, a five-movement work inspired by Superman comics.

We the People (Celebrating America 250)

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Elevate your morning routine with the new, innovative Coffee Concert Series, where music meets the comforting aroma of freshly brewed Blue Lion coffee. This unique series not only provides a delightful mid-morning musical interlude but also includes complimentary coffee after each performance in your own Fort Wayne Philharmonic Coffee Series mug and donuts from Sugar Creek Donuts. In addition, each post-concert activity provides an exclusive opportunity for patrons to engage in discussions with the musicians themselves, participate in fun musically themed activities and connect with the team who bring the music to life.

Coffee Concert: Metropolis Symphony

KU Wind Ensemble & Wind Symphony Concert

University of Kansas

Love is in the air! Fresh on the heels of Valentine’s Day, join the ASU Chamber Winds and Friends for a romantic afternoon of music that will leave you swooning.

ASU Chamber Winds and Friends: "Labyrinth of Love"

Arizona State University Tempe Campus

Wind Symphony & Symphony Band

Music Building and Recital Hall

Visual art has inspired music for centuries. The art of Vincent Van Gogh, Andy Warhol, and Viktor Hartmann will be projected over the orchestra as the KSO performs the works evoked by them. Local Ryle H.S. graduate and CCM student Andrew Strawn’s Flowers from Vincent receives its world premiere, along with an area premiere of Michael Daugherty’s Warhol inspired work.  Modest Mussorgsky’s war-horse (orchestrated by Ravel) closes the program spotlighting visual art.

Gallerie Fantastique

Greaves Concert Hall

Listen

Washington Center for the Performing Arts

Trevor Maliborski – Senior Recital

Hamel Music Center

GRAMMY® Award-winning violinist Anne Akiko Meyers has earned the title “the Wonder Woman of Commissioning” from The Strad due to her relentless advocacy for many of today’s most influential living composers. Her collaboration with Michael Daugherty on the violin concerto Blue Electra, commissioned by her, powerfully reflects the extraordinary life and enigmatic disappearance of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. Critically acclaimed conductor Carl St. Clair returns to “pilot” a compelling journey that intertwines the themes of flight and fate, featuring Tchaikovsky’s commanding Symphony No. 4.

Anne Akiko Meyers Plays Blue Electra

Hawaii Theatre

The program opens with Principal Clarinetist, Jennifer Royals performing the world premiere of Vero Beach composer, R. Michael Daugherty’s joyous Concerto for B-flat Clarinet and String Orchestra.  We all know and love the iconic ending of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, but when was the last time you heard the entire work? The piece stands out for its grand instrumentation, alternating between tension and exultation, culminating in an apotheotic finale that symbolizes resilience and the conclusion of one of the 19th century’s most defining conflicts.  The audience will take a more active role in the finale of the work, providing the cannon fire by popping brown paper bags provided by the orchestra.  To conclude the concert, Collins conducts Shostakovich’s Sixth Symphony in which the composer, to quote Leopold Stokowski, proves himself to be “a master who was constantly growing in creative imagination and musical self-confidence.”  The Sixth transports listeners into the realms of spring, joy, and youthful spirit. However, beneath the surface of its seemingly cheerful melodies lies a deeper exploration of irony.

Orchestral Firepower

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy - Upper School

The Community Church of Vero Beach

James Lowe, conductor Zuill Bailey, cello In our final Masterworks of the season, we embrace vivid stories from around the world. Respighi vividly portrays scenes of Rome, from the serene beauty of pine trees in the Villa Borghese to the triumphant march of the Appian Way, and we welcome back Zuill Bailey in the ...

Masterworks 9: Tales of Hemingway

Martin Woldson Theater

The UMD Wind Ensemble closes its 2024-25 season with a vibrant program showcasing works by leading wind band composers. Percy Grainger’s Children’s March: Over the Hills and Far Away opens the performance with its playful, almost folk-like charm, evoking the carefree spirit of children at play. In contrast, Carter Pann’s Hold This Boy and Listen, offers a more subdued and wistful reflection on childhood.

UMD Wind Ensemble Season Finale Concert

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

Symphony Band

The University of Texas at Austin

March 15th at 7:30pm, Join CSO and Maestro Intriligator to enjoy works by Adams, Copland, Tate & Daugherty, featuring special guest harpist, Courtney Hershey Bress. Sponsored by Halladay Motors.  Guest Artists Underwritten by Bill Runyan and The Kenneth & Myra Monfort Charitable Foundation.

American Escapades

Cheyenne Civic Center

Join your Youngstown Symphony Orchestra for an exhilarating evening as we celebrate the symphonic sounds of our favorite superheroes. From Bernstein’s The Magnificent Seven to the fantastical realms of the video game The Legend of Zelda, each piece tells a heroic story of captivating adventures. The night also features Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries and Daugherty’s dynamic Red Cape Tango, culminating in a season finale that promises to be both heroic and unforgettable.

Your Youngstown Symphony Presents Symphonic Superheroes

Stambaugh Auditorium

Experience an evening of stories sonically told by the UMD Wind Orchestra! Björk’s Overture to “Dancer in the Dark,” arranged by Vince Mendoza, chronicles the story of Selma Jezkova, a Czech immigrant to the United States who is going blind due to illness. Michael Gilbertson’s Lands End takes listeners to the windy, wooded cliffs of Lands End overlook, a shoreline in San Francisco peppered with shipwrecks and ruins, while Michael Daugherty recalls the life and legacy of an American track and field hero in The Adventures of Jesse Owens.

Symphonic Stories: UMD Wind Orchestra

University of Maryland

Online

Guest conductor Thomas Wilkins leads the orchestra in this captivating program. Copland’s sparkling Appalachian Spring is considered one of his finest works. Michael Daugherty’s Letters from Lincoln, written in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth,features baritone soloist Yazid Gray. Dvořák’s poetic eighth symphony is full of charm, inspired by the composer’s reflections on nature and life.

Appalachian Spring

Ohio Theatre

Performances of pianist Tatiana Roitman Mann have been recognized by the BBC as “formidable…both accurate and with rarely seen joy.” Tatiana has appeared as a soloist and recitalist across North America and Europe.

A Flair for the Dramatic

Perot Theatre

Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Join the Gulf Coast Symphony for a unique and captivating evening featuring two dynamic works: Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale” and Michael Daugherty’s “Dead Elvis.” “A Soldier’s Tale” is a dramatic piece that combines music, narration, and dance to tell the compelling story of a soldier who makes a deal with the devil. In contrast, “Dead Elvis” offers a whimsical and modern twist, featuring a bassoon soloist in a playful homage to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This eclectic concert promises an engaging blend of theatrical storytelling and innovative music, offering a memorable experience for all.

A Soldier’s Tale & Dead Elvis

Music & Arts Community Center - Gulf Coast Symphony


Celebration Overture
Celebration Overture is exactly that, a celebration! Enjoy a big and splashy program to open the 75th season with guest musician, Courtney Hershey Bress on the harp. Professional and Principal Harpist, Bress is an international soloist who has been heard around the world from the Grand Teton Music Festival to the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia in Bogotá, Colombia. During Celebration Overture, guests will witness her incredible talent.

Celebration Overture

Natrona County High School

Halloween Spooktacular

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

Join us for a monumental milestone as the Amarillo Symphony celebrates its 100th Anniversary with a spectacular Celebration Concert. This grand event is set to take place on October 11 and 12, 2024, at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, located at 500 S Buchanan St, Amarillo, TX 79101, United States. Each evening, the concert will commence at 7:30 PM, offering attendees a chance to be part of history.

The 100th Celebration Concert promises an unforgettable lineup featuring the Grammy-winning ensemble, Time For Three, and a showcase of new music commemorating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Cadillac Ranch. The concert will also highlight Aaron Copland’s masterpiece, Appalachian Spring, among other significant works by Michael Daugherty and Kevin Puts, including the world premiere of Daugherty's Cadillac Ranch and Puts' Contact.

Under the baton of conductor George Jackson, and with the special participation of Time for Three, this event is not just a concert but a celebration of a century's worth of musical excellence and community engagement. The Amarillo Symphony, a cornerstone of the cultural landscape, invites you to be part of this historic occasion.

Tickets for the 100th Celebration Concert will be available closer to the event date. For more information on ticketing, please contact the Amarillo Symphony at 806-376-8782, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate a century of musical brilliance with the Amarillo Symphony.

100th Celebration Concert

Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts

Celebrate the legendary George Gershwin and his extraordinary impact on American music. This thrilling evening will feature a dollop of jazz, blues, and dance rhythms. Hear how Gershwin's influence echoes through the years in this enticing program showcasing Kevin Cole, widely considered the finest Gershwin pianist in the country

Gershwin’s American Dream

Sarasota Opera House

Join us for an unforgettable musical journey at the Bear Valley Music Festival with the special concert event "From Oklahoma to California" on Thursday, August 1, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This unique performance, featuring Marat Gabdullin on electric violin, is curated by Maestro Mickelthwate, who annually travels from Oklahoma to California to partake in our festival. 

This concert promises to take you on a musical road trip, starting with the theme from the iconic musical "Oklahoma" and cruising along Michael Daugherty’s "Route 66." The journey continues to the west coast with "Dharma at Big Sur," John Adams’ mesmerizing electric violin concerto, before diving into the Hollywood scene with Phillip Glass’s movie music to "The Hours." The evening will conclude with Lee Johnson’s "Dead Symphony No. 6," an orchestral tribute to The Grateful Dead, ensuring a diverse and thrilling musical experience that celebrates the spirit of America from the heartlands to the shores of California.

Don't miss this extraordinary blend of classical music and modern storytelling, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Bear Valley. It's a musical expedition that promises to be as vibrant and diverse as the landscapes between Oklahoma and California.

From Oklahoma to California

The Big White Tent at Bear Valley Music Festival

The season culminates with the return of Michael Daugherty’s ode to Pittsburgh icon, Andy Warhol, in his piece, Fifteen. Hear how each movement transforms Warhol’s colorful creations into symphonic masterpieces, featuring the artist’s Portrait of Elizabeth Taylor (1964), Big Electric Chair (1967) and more.

Fifteen & Firebird: The Season Finale

Heinz Hall

The program begins with the sounds of New York’s “frenetic energy and multicultural aural palette” in Jessie Montgomery’s Coincident Dances. Principal Oboe, Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida, and Principal Horn, William Caballero, then join to premiere a double concerto by Michael Daugherty.

Darkness to Light: Manfred & Mahler 5

Las Vegas Philharmonic Presents Saint-Saëns Thundering "Organ" Symphony

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

Organist, Paul Jacobs performs with the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

Saint-Saëns Thundering “Organ” Symphony

The Boston Conservatory Wind Ensemble performs music by Anahita Abbasi and Michael Daugherty.

Boston Conservatory Wind Ensemble: The Music of Anahita Abbasi and Michael Daugherty

Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Experience Respighi’s masterpieces, Pines and Fountains of Rome. These stunning works reveal Respighi’s brilliant brushstrokes in painting scenes of the majesty of nature and dancing water. The program opens with two giants among today’s living composers: Hailstork’s powerful homage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, followed by Michael Daugherty’s American Gothic, a work of irrepressible fun that brings the iconic art of Grant Wood to life.

The Pines & Fountains of Rome

Jacoby Symphony Hall

It gives me great pleasure to welcome the UW–Madison Wind Ensemble and their conductor, Scott Teeple, to our organ series in what I hope is one of many future collaborations. Pairing the forces of our Klais with the full band will blow you away in this electrifying program. With large ensemble works such as Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry (“Danny Boy”), as well as intimate works like Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe arranged for organ and saxophone featuring a soloist from the ensemble, I cannot think of a more powerful way to close out the 23/24 season! – Greg Zelek

Greg Zelek with the UW–Madison Wind Ensemble

Overture Center for the Arts

The Reno Phil fans the flame of creative genius. Join us to celebrate the 125th birthday of legendary American composer, George Gershwin! Hear the new critical editions of his beloved works Strike Up the Band and An American in Paris. Our very own Reno Phil English Horn player, Jordan Pyle, will have the spotlight for Daughtery’s Spaghetti Western. You’ll be transported to a land of gunfights, bank robberies, saloon brawls, train heists, ghostly stagecoaches, quests for gold, and revenge and retribution. Ravel’s Bolero, an audience favorite and known from the film Paradise Road, closes the concert with a brief spotlight on every instrument on stage.

Gershwin Celebration

Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts

The program includes Selections from the Danserye (arr. Patrick Dunnigan) by Tielman Susato, Spanish Dances (Book 1) by Luis Serrano Alarcón, Red Cape Tango by Michael Daugherty, and Wedding Dance (transcr. Herbert N. Johnston) by Jacques Press. David Thornton, conductor.

Wharton Center for Performing Arts

University Of Illinois Wind Orchestra And Hindsley Band

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

Eastman Wind Ensemble

Eastman Theatre

Audrey Marx, oboe and English horn

Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall

American Shades

Jackson Theater, Sonoma Country Day School

Dreamachine delves into humankind’s fascination with machines and their inventors. “Dreamachine is my playground,” says Lovette, a space where creativity knows no bounds and imagination launches into its own universe. Set to Michael Daugherty’s mesmerizing percussion suit, with set & costumes by Santo Loquasto and lighting by Jennifer Tipton, this triptych of fantastical worlds fits beautifully in the Taylor universe.

Lovette + Taylor

Lincoln Center

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

Duke Energy Center for the Arts

“Shoot for the Stars” Opening Night features “The Planets” by Gustav Holst, a seven-movement orchestral suite. Each movement is named after a planet with its own unique astrological character. The night begins with John Adams’ “Short Ride in a Fast Machine”, catching your attention with his unique use of minimalist tonal language and rhythmic dissonance, followed by Michael Daugherty’s new Harp Concerto, “Harp of Ages” which shows us the diversity of one of the oldest instruments while bringing in elements of 20th century pop culture—the blues and Irish rhythmic excitement.

LSO Opening Night: Shoot for the Stars

Vance Brand Civic Auditorium

Concertmaster's Choice

Brazosport College

While our Festival Artists are among the world’s great chamber ensemble musicians, they can also dazzle as soloists!  All ages are invited to the hour-long performance, where adults and children can learn about the possibilities and range of each of these instruments in the hands of these virtuosos!

Second Saturday

Saint Michael's College

This concert will be the recording premiere of Michael Daugherty’s Blue Electra. This will be the Albany Symphony’s 3rd recording of Daugherty’s work, joining the ranks with Dreammachine and This Land Sings!

Beethoven's Ninth | Matinee

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

Beethoven's Ninth

It’s an artistic extravaganza! The JSO presents works inspired by the visual arts including the famous Pictures at an Exhibition. You won’t want to miss our performance that opens with speed painter Evan Struck on stage with the JSO. Violinist Ida Kavafian performs Michael Daugherty’s violin concerto Fire and Blood inspired by Detroit murals by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. The JSO also welcomes back Jeremy Crosmer for a world premiere inspired by the work of Jackson-born artist Philip Campbell Curtis. The surrealist painter’s work will be on display at the Potter Center through March. We close the concert with animation synced to our performance of Pictures at an Exhibition. You won’t want to miss a single moment of this performance packed with visual art!

Pictures at an Exhibition

Jackson College

One of Stanton Welch’s hallmark ballets, Clear showcases the depth of talent of Houston Ballet’s male dancers, featuring seven men and one woman. Sleek, stripped-down costumes emphasize the sheer magnitude of emotion in choreography set to music by Johann Sebastian Bach. The Company brings back one of George Balanchine’s greatest masterpieces for the first time since 1977. Concerto Barocco uses the music of Bach's Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins to spotlight the balletic relationship between dance and music. Houston Ballet also premieres Cathy Marston's Summer and Smoke, a co-production with American Ballet Theatre set to a commissioned score by Michael Daugherty. Inspired by Tennessee Williams' eponymous play, Summer and Smoke brings Marston’s unique perspective on storytelling, often inspired by works of literature, to Houston audiences for the first time. 

Summer And Smoke

Wortham Theater Center

The Wind Symphony presents a diverse and eclectic program of works that reimagine musical ideas through culture, time, and tradition. New Illinois Assistant Professor of Violin Salley Koo is soloist in Kristin Kuster’s distinctive concerto for violin and band, Two Jades.

Illinois Wind Symphony And O'fallon Wind Ensemble

Six-time Grammy winner Michael Daugherty’s Valley of the Moon highlights our beautiful and ecologically diverse county. Piercing beauty rises from the violin of Finnish virtuoso Elina Vähälä, like birds soaring to the treetops or a butterfly softly lighting in Korngold's romantic Violin Concerto, with delightful nods to his exquisite film scores. Strauss' irresistible Overture to Die Fledermaus and Debussy's pastoral Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun perfectly complement this tender and triumphant season finale.

Valley of the Moon

Green Music Center

Giancarlo Guerrero brings the 2026 season to an epic close with none other than Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, a musical affirmation of humanity on a grand scale. To conclude our season-long celebration of American music, the program begins with Julia Wolfe’s raucous Liberty Bell and Michael Daugherty’s monumental Mount Rushmore.

Beethoven Symphony No. 9

Millennium Park

Renewal – Four Seasons & Bolero

Des Moines Civic Center

Surging with electricity, myth, and raw orchestral power, this concert is part one of the Reno Phil’s Gillemot Foundation Music & Space Festival. At the center is Blue Electra by Michael Daugherty, a high-voltage violin concerto inspired by the life and mysterious disappearance of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. Written for and premiered by Anne Akiko Meyers, the work fuses amplified violin, driving rhythms, and striking orchestral color, reflecting Earhart’s daring spirit and unfinished final flight. That same elemental intensity expands outward into the vast, immersive universe of Gustav Holst’s The Planets, a triumph of orchestration, where driving momentum, massive forces, and stark contrasts create one of the most visceral experiences in the symphonic repertoire. Paired with stunning artistic multimedia projections, you won’t want to miss this concert.

Composer

Michael Daugherty

Events

Upcoming events

14 - 15 Aug, 2026

Beethoven Symphony No. 9 · Grant Park Music Festival

21 - 22 Nov, 2026

Renewal – Four Seasons & Bolero · Des Moines Symphony

20 - 21 Mar, 2027

The Planets · Reno Philharmonic Orchestra

Past events

5 - 6 Jun, 2026

American Soundscapes · Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

May 9, 2026

Concert conducted by John Axelrod (UNDER 35) · Teatro La Fenice

About

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