Come enjoy the music of our country with this concert including traditional American folk songs, a tribute to our region's largest river, and a new work by Peter Boyer: Rhapsody in Red, White, & Blue (featuring pianist Jeffrey Biegel).

Adding a deeply local touch, the performance includes a moving tribute to our region's mightiest waterway, the Columbia River. Through Glenn Kelly's evocative Columbia River Suite (composed by the Wenatchee Valley Symphony's former music director), audiences will experience the power, beauty, and enduring importance of this iconic river that shapes our landscape, economy, and way of life in Washington state.

The evening reaches a thrilling crescendo with the brand-new work Rhapsody in Red, White, & Blue by acclaimed, GRAMMY-nominated American composer Peter Boyer. Commissioned to celebrate the centennial of George Gershwin's legendary Rhapsody in Blue, this dynamic 17-minute piece for piano and orchestra bursts with jazzy flair, bold orchestral colors, and unapologetic patriotic optimism. Performed by the renowned virtuoso pianist Jeffrey Biegel. who commissioned the work and has championed it across the United States as part of the all 50 States National Initiative. This exhilarating composition blends soaring melodies, rhythmic vitality, and heartfelt American spirit, making it a perfect centerpiece for a night of national pride.

As part of our ongoing education initiative, the Wenatchee Valley Youth Orchestra will shine in a featured performance of Nkeiru Okoye's Charlotte Mecklenburg – an exciting opportunity for these talented young musicians to step onto the professional stage and perform side-by-side with the Wenatchee Valley Symphony's seasoned professionals. It's a powerful moment of mentorship, inspiration, and growth, nurturing the next generation of orchestral talent right here in our community!

Join us for an unforgettable journey through America's musical heart – full of nostalgia, regional connection, and joyful celebration.

Starting at 6 pm, join us for a “Prelude!”, a pre-concert talk and Q&A with WVSO Music Director Nikolas Caoile at the Numerica PAC concert hall. Get ready for the show and dive into insights about our concert program. Enjoy a pop-up art exhibition by the artists of Arts Alliance before the show and during the concert intermission.

Due Date: 03/07/2026
Website:https://www.wenatcheesymphony.com/america-the-beautiful
Contact: symphony@wenatcheesymphony.org
5094337468