LSO Presents America at 250: A Musical Celebration
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a musical journey through our nation’s history! From stirring melodies like The Patriot and Adagio for Strings to the lively rhythms of Hoedown and Stars and Stripes, this concert showcases the sounds that shaped our culture. Featuring vibrant works by Jessie Montgomery, Aaron Copland, John Williams, John Philip Sousa, and more, it’s a musical salute to America’s enduring spirit.
What you will experience
• The Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra (LSO), led by music director David Glover, will take you on a musical journey of American music.
• This concert will feature music from multiple traditions, incorporating elements of classical, jazz, blues, and broadway along with fiddle tunes, patriotic marches, and spirituals.
• Superstar soprano and Lynchburg favorite Michelle Johnson will join the LSO in a performance of Jessie Montgomery’s Five Freedom Songs, her 2021 setting of five spirituals.
• Blockbuster orchestral favorites including America the Beautiful, John Williams’ Midway March, and a Salute to our Armed Forces.
Program:
Smith/Key – The Star-Spangled Banner
Bernstein – Candide Overture
Montgomery – Five Freedom Songs (Featuring Michelle Johnson, Soprano)
Hayman – Pops Hoedown
Intermission
Gershwin – Overture to Funny Face
Copland – Variations on a Shaker Melody, Simple Gifts
W.C. Handy/Holcomb – St. Louis Blues
Ellington/Custer – Duke Ellington!
arr. Dragon – America the Beautiful
Ungar – Ashokan Farewell
arr. Lowden – Armed Forces Salute
Williams – Midway March
Sousa – The Stars and Stripes Forever
Pre-concert events:
6:30 – 7:00 pm: FREE complimentary lecture about the music on tonight’s program on stage
Related Links
Tickets:
Orchestra Level:
Orchestra Seat: $20.00 – $100.00*
Lower Balcony:
Lower Balcony Seat: $30.00 – $80.00*
Box Seats:
Box Seat: $100.00*
*Plus taxes and fees
$10 student discount available.
For more information or to purchase tickets to this performance, contact our Bank of the James Ticketing Office at (434) 846-8499.
Sponsored By:
Know before you go:
Accessibility
Age Requirement
All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket for this event unless otherwise stated. All ages are welcome.
Camera Policy
Videography and audio recording during the performances are prohibited. Photography of the set on stage is allowed pre-show, post-show, and during intermission. But we do ask that you show our designers and visiting performers some love by crediting them (and by tagging us) in your social media posts.
Content Advisory
The Academy Center of the Arts offers a diverse selection of entertainment. Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every guest or for all ages. Ticket buyers should take responsibility for making informed decisions regarding their purchases. We recommend visiting the official show website of each show you are coming to see at the Academy. If you ever have questions about the content or appropriateness of a show, please contact us at boxoffice@academycenter.org.
Doors Open
Unless otherwise noted, our lobby doors open 60 minutes prior to show time and house doors open 30 minutes prior to show time for seating.
Parking & Directions
Parking is available on-site and throughout downtown Lynchburg. Our parking map (linked below) shows all of the free public and paid parking available. In addition, street parking is also available on most streets.
Ticketing Policies
Ticketing purchases are non-refundable. By purchasing a ticket to an event at The Academy Center of the Arts, you are agreeing to our ticketing policy. View our full ticketing policy.
Volunteer
Want to volunteer and see this show for free? Contact Kyle Greaney, kgreaney@academycenter.org, for more information.