Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a vibrant program of iconic works by 20th-century American composers. Gershwin’s unforgettable Rhapsody in Blue blends classical form with jazz flair and features noted San Diego pianist Dan Yu as soloist. Also included are Copland’s stirring Fanfare for the Common Man, the mystical beauty of Hovhaness’s Mysterious Mountain, selections from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Copland’s Rodeo (including the lively Hoe Down and tender Corral Nocturne), and Bernstein’s effervescent Overture to West Side Story. From sweeping vistas to urban rhythms, this finale concert captures the spirit, soul and story of America.

EPSG:4326

An American Celebration

Poway Center for the Performing Arts

Oluwatoni “Toni” John is a graduating senior at WashU studying history with minors in music and applied linguistics. Although she grew up singing, she more concretely began her vocal journey in her sixth-grade choir class. Every year since then, she has sung in school and district choirs. At WashU, she has been a member of Concert Choir and has taken voice lesson with Tamara Campbell since her freshman year. Toni also founded, leads, and arranges for Unending Praise Gospel Choir, WashU’s premier a cappella gospel choir. The group has performed at events including Black Convocation, WashU’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations, and various others. After graduation, Toni plans to take a gap year before enrolling in a Ph.D. program in African studies.

Oluwatoni John, Senior Minor Recital, voice

560 Music Center

Step into the heart of American music on Valentine’s Day with Aaron Copland’s rustic and charming Rodeo followed by Gershwin’s luminous Rhapsody in Blue featuring beloved pianist Janice Carissa. The concert concludes with Randall Thompson’s bold and moving Symphony No. 2.

Rhapsody in Blue

The Palace Theatre Greensburg

April’s concert is filled with inspiring and youthful energy featuring Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals! This piece depicts various animals in their natural habitats through the different colors and timbres of the orchestra. Following that, we’ll dive deeper into the sounds of the orchestra with a piece by Modesto’s own and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, Andrew Norman. The program will end with Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo with the young musicians of the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra playing side-by-side on Hoedown.

Modesto Symphony Orchestra - Carnival of the Animals

Gallo Center for the Arts

Immerse yourself in a captivating evening of classical music with the "Night of Strings at the Garden: Chamber Classics" event, presented by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. This enchanting concert is scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2024, at 7:30 PM, set against the picturesque backdrop of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

The program promises an intimate chamber experience that showcases a selection of timeless classics from the repertoires of Mozart, Grieg, Dvořák, and Tchaikovsky. Highlighting the evening is Coleridge-Taylor’s Novelette No. 1, a piece that reflects the composer's profound love and understanding of the violin, promising to be a treat for string enthusiasts. The concert also ventures into the American landscape with Grofe’s evocative "On the Trail" from the Grand Canyon Suite and a strings-only rendition of Copland's exhilarating "Hoe-Down" from Rodeo, adding a touch of the western frontier to the night.

The event will feature the talented Taichi Fukumura as conductor, guiding the audience through a journey of musical emotions and landscapes. Attendees can look forward to a diverse program that includes:
- MOZART: Divertimento I. Allegro
- COLERIDGE-TAYLOR: Novelette No. 1
- GRIEG: Anitra's Dance from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1
- GROFE: On the Trail from Grand Canyon Suite
- AARON COPLAND: Hoe-Down from Rodeo
- WILLIAM GRANT STILL: Danzas de Panama IV. Cumbia y Congo
- TCHAIKOVSKY: Serenade for Strings III. Élégie
- DVOŘÁK: Serenade for Strings V. Finale

To enhance your experience, the event offers FREE parking for all attendees, ensuring a hassle-free evening of music and beauty. This indoor concert provides a perfect setting to enjoy the masterful works of classical music in a serene garden environment.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a memorable night that celebrates the beauty and versatility of string instruments through classical masterpieces. Join us at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden for an evening that promises to be a highlight of the cultural calendar.

Aaron Copeland

Events

Past events

May 31, 2026

An American Celebration · Poway Symphony Orchestra

Apr 28, 2026

Oluwatoni John, Senior Minor Recital, voice · Washington University in St. Louis Department of Music

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