Lexington Philharmonic - Season finale: American Stories
The final concert of LexPhil’s 2025-2026 season celebrates the 250th anniversary of America, weaving together stories and music that reflect the past, present, and future of American identity. From iconic anthems to bold new voices, American Stories honors the vast and varied soundscape of our nation.
The evening opens with Joan Tower’s Made in America, a work inspired by her years abroad and a renewed appreciation for American freedoms, centered around the tune “America the Beautiful.” This theme is repeatedly challenged by dissonant interruptions. Through moments both tender and bold, she crafts a musical journey that celebrates — and questions — American ideals.
Former Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House then joins the orchestra as narrator for Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, a poignant tribute to Abraham Lincoln. Written in 1942, the piece blends folk melodies with excerpts from Lincoln’s speeches. With House’s distinct voice and deep connection to place, Lincoln’s words resound with renewed clarity and conviction.
A highlight of this concert is the world premiere of Black Dandelions: An American Triptych by Brittany J. Green, LexPhil’s 2025–26 Saykaly Garbulinska Composer-in-Residence. The three movement work is an expansion of her earlier piece Against/Sharp and features text from three Black women poets - Crystal Wilkinson (former Kentucky Poet Laureate), Jaki Shelton Green, and Ebony Stewart . Utilizing the themes of “Blackness, land, and Southern identity”, Green centers the piece around the, “resilience of Black womxn in the American South”.
We close the season with Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, a thrilling concert suite from his iconic 1957 musical. Blending classical, jazz, and Latin rhythms, the dances trace a dramatic arc of rivalry, romance, and tragedy. From the high-octane “Mambo” to the dreamlike “Somewhere,” Bernstein’s bold orchestration brings the streets of New York to life in a collision of conflict, longing, and hope.
From reflection to celebration, American Stories is a vibrant tribute to the music and people that define America.
Tickets & More
Single tickets to Season Finale: American Stories are offered at three pricing levels for adults. Section A is $78, Section B is $53, and Section C is $28. Adult single tickets are subject to a $5 processing fee. Youth & Students with a valid ID are $11. Avoid the fees and become a subscriber.
Inside the Score
Join us prior to the season finale for a free pre-concert lecture with Music Director Mélisse Brunet for an exclusive, in-depth look Inside the Score! The talk begins at 6:30PM in the Presidents Room prior to the concert. Seating is limited, doors will close once capacity is reached.
Presented by The Glenview Trust Company
