loader image

North Carolina Symphony

Celebrating America 250

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.

A250NC blue
A250NC blue

One State, One Score

Thanks to everyone who has joined in One State, One Score—a statewide virtual performance video honoring America 250

We’re bringing these amazing expressions of creativity in various art forms together for a collective video we look forward to sharing this summer.

Summer Concerts Across the State

Patriotic Pops Celebrating America 250

TUE, JUN 9, 2026 | 7:30PM
TOWN COMMON, TARBORO

This concert is FREE and open to the public. No tickets are required
North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Taylor Troyer, vocalist

Join us for a FREE concert in Tarboro celebrating America 250 featuring patriotic favorites such as Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare,” the “Armed Forces Salute,” and Copland’s “Buckaroo Holiday.”

PATRIOTIC POPS PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Bank of America
CELEBRATING AMERICA 250 SPONSOR: John William Pope Foundation
PRESENTING SPONSORS: Astemo; Furman-Mathewson Memorial Trust of Edgecombe County Memorial Library
CONCERT PARTNER: Southern Bank; Tarboro Savings Bank
CONCERT SPONSORS: LS Cable & System; Warren Accounting Group
CONCERT SUPPORTERS: The Pollard Family; Margaret Anne and Billy Wooten 
CONCERT FRIENDS: The Chafin Family; Jonathan Cobb, Farm Bureau; Medical Edge Day Spa; Ann & Carl Warren
The North Carolina Symphony Patriotic Pops Concerts in Your Community are made possible through a partnership with the State of North Carolina and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Patriotic Pops Celebrating America 250

THU, JUN 11, 2026 | 7:30PM
SOUTH LAWN, TRYON PALACE, NEW BERN

This concert is FREE and open to the public. No tickets are required
North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Taylor Troyer, vocalist

Join us for a FREE concert in New Bern celebrating America 250 featuring patriotic favorites such as Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare,” the “Armed Forces Salute,” and Copland’s “Buckaroo Holiday.”

PATRIOTIC POPS PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Bank of America
CELEBRATING AMERICA 250 SPONSOR:
John William Pope Foundation
CONCERT SPONSOR: Trent Cadillac
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: Tryon Palace
The North Carolina Symphony Patriotic Pops Concerts in Your Community are made possible through a partnership with the State of North Carolina and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Patriotic Pops at Summerfest

FRI, JUN 12, 2026 | 8:00PM
KOKA BOOTH AMPHITHEATRE, CARY

Tickets and subscription packages on sale now!
North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Taylor Troyer, vocalist

The North Carolina Symphony will perform a Patriotic Pops concert celebrating America 250. This program includes patriotic favorites such as Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare,” the “Armed Forces Salute,” and Copland’s “Buckaroo Holiday.”

PATRIOTIC POPS PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Bank of America
SUMMERFEST PRESENTING SPONSOR: UNC Health
SERIES SPONSOR: First Citizens Bank
CONCERT SPONSOR: CEI – The Digital Office
PICNIC OF THE WEEK SPONSOR: Wegmans
HOSTED BY: Town of Cary
MEDIA SPONSOR: The Classical Station – WCPE 89.7FM

Patriotic Pops Celebrating America 250

TUE, JUN 16, 2026 | 7:30PM
NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL, JACKSONVILLE

North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Taylor Troyer, vocalist

Join us for a FREE concert in Jacksonville celebrating America 250 featuring patriotic favorites such as Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare,” the “Armed Forces Salute,” and Copland’s “Buckaroo Holiday.”

PATRIOTIC POPS PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Bank of America
CELEBRATING AMERICA 250 SPONSOR:
John William Pope Foundation
CONCERT SPONSORS: First Bank; Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation; Marine Federal Credit Union; Seaside Arts Council
CONCERT SUPPORTERS: Chick-fil-A; Julee and Billy Sewell
CONCERT FRIENDS: Frame Game; Gilliam Dentistry; Jack Marshall, in memory of Thomas and Katharine Marshall; Bill and Betsy Mercer, in memory of Ted and Evelyn Mercer 
The North Carolina Symphony Patriotic Pops Concerts in Your Community are made possible through a partnership with the State of North Carolina and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Patriotic Pops Celebrating America 250

THU, JUN 18, 2026 | 8:00PM
SOUTHERN VILLAGE GREEN, CHAPEL HILL

This concert is FREE and open to the public. No tickets are required.
North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Taylor Troyer, vocalist

Join us for a FREE concert in Chapel Hill celebrating America 250 featuring patriotic favorites such as Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare,” the “Armed Forces Salute,” and Copland’s “Buckaroo Holiday.”

PATRIOTIC POPS PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Bank of America
CELEBRATING AMERICA 250 SPONSOR:
John William Pope Foundation
CONCERT PARTNER: Southern Village
CONCERT SPONSOR: Southern Village Homeowners Association
The North Carolina Symphony Patriotic Pops Concerts in Your Community are made possible through a partnership with the State of North Carolina and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Stars & Stripes Celebrating America 250

THU, JUL 2, 2026 | 7:30PM
WILSON CENTER, WILMINGTON

North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Taylor Troyer, vocalist

Join your North Carolina Symphony in Wilmington for a Stars & Stripes celebration honoring America 250. This festive performance highlights the ingenuity, heroism, hope, and resilience that define the American spirit, featuring all of your favorite patriotic classics.

PATRIOTIC POPS PRESENTING SPONSOR: Bank of America
In partnership with the State of North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Independence Day Concert Celebrating America 250

FRI, JUL 3, 2026 | 8:30PM
LAKE BENSON PARK, GARNER

This concert is FREE and open to the public. No tickets are required.
North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Taylor Troyer, vocalist

The North Carolina Symphony will perform a free Independence Day Concert in Your Community that celebrates America 250.

HOST: Town of Garner
PATRIOTIC POPS PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Bank of America
CELEBRATING AMERICA 250 SPONSOR:
John William Pope Foundation
The North Carolina Symphony Independence Day Concerts are made possible through a partnership with the State of North Carolina and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Independence Day Concert Celebrating America 250

SAT, JUL 4, 2026 | 8:00PM
KOKA BOOTH AMPHITHEATRE, CARY

This concert is FREE and open to the public. No tickets are required.
North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Taylor Troyer, vocalist

The North Carolina Symphony will perform a free Independence Day Concert in Your Community celebrating America 250 with patriotic music and a fireworks display over Symphony Lake.

PATRIOTIC POPS PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Bank of America
CELEBRATING AMERICA 250 SPONSOR:
John William Pope Foundation
SUMMERFEST PRESENTING SPONSOR: UNC Health
SERIES SPONSOR: First Citizens Bank
HOSTED BY: Town of Cary
MEDIA SPONSOR: The Classical Station – WCPE 89.7FM
The North Carolina Symphony Independence Day Concerts in Your Community are made possible through a partnership with the State of North Carolina and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for these spring concerts across the state!

Classical Favorites Celebrating America 250

THU, APR 16, 2026 | 7:30PM
JOHN W. BARDO FINE & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, CULLOWHEE

North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Katie Muhlenkamp, narrator

Your North Carolina Symphony will perform a free Concert in Your Community of Classical Favorites Celebrating America 250 with music from timeless masterpieces by Bernstein and Copland—along with the cinematic brilliance of John Williams.

PATRIOTIC POPS PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Bank of America
CELEBRATING AMERICA 250 SPONSOR:
John William Pope Foundation
The Western Residency is a multi-county initiative that brings the North Carolina Symphony’s free concerts, education programs, and musician-led workshops to communities across Western North Carolina, serving students from preschool through high school and audiences of all ages.
The Western Residency is presented in partnership with the State of North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Classical Favorites Celebrating America 250

FRI, APR 17, 2026 | 7:30PM
PORTER RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, INDIAN TRAIL

North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Katie Muhlenkamp, narrator

Your North Carolina Symphony will perform a free Concert in Your Community of Classical Favorites Celebrating America 250 with music from timeless masterpieces by Bernstein and Copland—along with the cinematic brilliance of John Williams.

PATRIOTIC POPS PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Bank of America
CELEBRATING AMERICA 250 SPONSOR:
John William Pope Foundation
The Western Residency is a multi-county initiative that brings the North Carolina Symphony’s free concerts, education programs, and musician-led workshops to communities across Western North Carolina, serving students from preschool through high school and audiences of all ages.
The Western Residency is presented in partnership with the State of North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Classical Favorites Celebrating America 250

THU, APR 23, 2026 | 7:30PM
OWENS AUDITORIUM, PINEHURST

North Carolina Symphony
Sophie Mok, conductor
Katie Muhlenkamp, narrator

The North Carolina Symphony will perform timeless masterpieces by Bernstein and Copland—along with the cinematic brilliance of John Williams.

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.