Thu, Apr 23, 2026 | 7:30pm
OWENS AUDITORIUM, BRADSHAW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, PINEHURST

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North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Katie Muhlenkamp, narrator

John Stafford Smith / Arr. Walter Damrosch and John Philip Sousa
“The Star-Spangled Banner”

Various composers / Arr. Lee Norris
“Here Come the Bands”

Leonard Bernstein / Arr. Jack Mason
West Side Story Selections for Orchestra

John Philip Sousa
“The Stars and Stripes Forever”

INTERMISSION

John Williams
“Liberty Fanfare”

Various composers / Arr. Jeff Tyzik
“Fantasy on American Themes”

George Gershwin
“Lullaby” for Strings

Various composers / Arr. Robert W. Lowden
“Armed Forces Salute”

Traditional / Arr. Peter Boyer
“Rolling River (Sketches on ‘Shenandoah’)”

Aaron Copland
“Buckaroo Holiday” from Rodeo

John Williams
“Superman March”

As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the North Carolina Symphony joins in marking the occasion by reflecting, through music, on our nation's heroic spirit, ingenuity, hope and resilience. 

As our state's orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony honors America 250 with a series of concerts in communities small and large, from the mountains to the sea. The concerts feature musical themes that have defined and reflected the American spirit since long before the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

The North Carolina Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of Patriotic Pops Presenting Sponsor Bank of America.

The North Carolina Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of Celebrating America 250 Sponsor The John William Pops Foundation.

The North Carolina Symphony Classical Favorites Concert Celebrating America 250 is made possible through a partnership with the State of North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.