Con Brio presents two glorious, uplifting, at times somber, rousing, and patriotic concerts to celebrate our Nation’s 250th Birthday (1776-2026). These concerts feature a special program of All-American music with full orcestra and enlarged brass section.
Conducted by Dr. Chris Shepard, featuring well over 110 performers, with the Con Brio Chorus, the Con Brio Festival Orchestra, andwith special guest Soprano and Baritone soloists, and Kathleen Bartowski, piano.
April 17, 2026 at 7 PM and April 19 2026 at 4 PM, Velley Regional High School, 256 Kelsey Hill Road, Deep River CT 06417.
March
The Stars & Stripes Forever, John Philip Sousa, USMC (orchestra)
The National Anthem
The Star-Spangled Banner, Smith, words Francis Scott Key, arr. Hayes (chorus and orchestra)
The Testament of Freedom, Randall Thompson, words from Thomas Jefferson, (chorus and orchestra)
I. A Summary View of the Rights of British America (1774)
II. and III. Declaration of Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms (July 6, 1775)
IV. Letter to John Adams, (September 12, 1821)
The Mansions of the Lord, Glennie-Smith, arr. Harlan & Rickets, words Wallace, (chorus and string orchestra)
Battle Hymn of the Republic, Steffe, arr. Wilhousky, words Howe, (chorus and orchestra, with audience)
INTERMISSION
Will the Circle be Unbroken, Trad. Appalachian, arr. Moore, Words Rose, Winter & Taylor (a cappella chorus)
Precious Lord, Take My Hand, Dorsey arr. Sevier (a cappella chorus)
The Circus Band, Ives (chorus and 4-hand piano)
An Aaron Copland Suite
Old American Songs arr. Copland
At the River, words and music by Rev. Robert Lowery (1865),(chorus and orchestra)
The Little Horses, Trad. (soprano solo and orchestra)
Zion’s Walls, Revivalist Song, words and music by John McCurry (1821-1886, (baritone solo and orchestra)
The Tender Land
The Promise of Living Copland, words Everett (soprano & baritone soli, chorus and orchestra)
Make Our Garden Grow, from Candide, Bernstein, words Wilbur (soprano & baritone soli, chorus and orchestra)
Finale
God Bless America, Irving Berlin, arr. Martin (chorus and orchestra, with audience)