Fanfare for Our Nation
Saturday, October 17, 2026 - 7:30pm
Maurice Cohn
conductor
Terrence Wilson
piano
250 years of America. 80 years of Symphony Tacoma.
One big celebration.
Maurice Cohn, conductor & Music Director candidate
Terrence Wilson, piano
Florence Price: Dances in the Canebrakes
Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring
Florence Price: Piano Concerto (In One Movement)
George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Symphony Tacoma opens its 80th anniversary season with a celebration of America's 250th birthday, featuring the music of Florence Price, Aaron Copland, and George Gershwin. Maurice Cohn conducts, with dazzling pianist Terrence Wilson bringing the jazz-infused American sound to life.
The Vibe
Here’s what this concert feels like, who it’s right for, and what to bring with you.
Type of Evening
This concert works well as:
- A classic date night
- A milestone celebration — birthdays, anniversaries, or a night worth marking
- A perfect first symphony experience, if you’ve never been to an orchestra concert before
- A festive and welcoming evening, whether you come alone or bring a group
What to Expect
From your seat, you can expect:
- America’s story told in sound
- Jazzy rhythms
- A dazzling piano soloist
- Familiar melodies you’ll recognize
Come With
To get the most out of the night, bring:
- A little red-white-and-blue spirit
- Your favorite person
- A sense of celebration
At the Same Time
Every piece on this program arrived in a particular moment. Here’s what else was happening in the world the year each one was written.
Rhapsody in Blue
George GershwinGeorge Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue premiered in 1924 — the same year that the words to “Happy Birthday to You” first appeared in print, in a songbook published by Robert H. Coleman.
Appalachian Spring
Aaron CoplandAaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring premiered in 1944 — the same year that the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City hosted a jazz concert for the first time.
Dances in the Canebrakes
Florence PriceFlorence Price’s Dances in the Canebrakes was completed in 1953 — the same year that US President Eisenhower delivered the first live US coast-to-coast inauguration address.