Celebrating Music Through 250 Years And Beyond.

As part of the nationwide America250 commemoration, the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra proudly presents Celebrating Music Through 250 Years and Beyond. This project honors the role of music in shaping and reflecting America’s story—past, present, and future.

To commemorate America’s 250 years, the WSO will explore how music has been a powerful voice throughout our nation’s history, capturing moments of struggle, triumph, and transformation. Audiences will experience works that highlight both the American national narrative and North Carolina’s unique cultural heritage, offering a rich and meaningful perspective on how music connects us across generations. This artistic tribute celebrates the diversity of our shared past while encouraging reflection, dialogue, and a deeper appreciation for the role of music in American life.

Scroll down for more information about performances and educational opportunities.

This project was produced with assistance from the America 250 North Carolina initiative, administered by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the State of North Carolina.

A Free America250 Concert

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America’s 250th Anniversary, the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra will perform a free America250 concert at the City of Wilmington’s annual Fourth of July Celebration at Riverfront Park and Live Oak Bank Pavilion. The concert will feature works by American composers from the past, present and future...

More details coming soon.

WSO’s America250 Educational Program:

The Future of American Music

The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to launch a new education initiative designed to spark creativity, celebrate our musical heritage, and imagine the sounds of America’s future during this monumental anniversary.

At the heart of this program is one powerful question:

What will American music sound like in the next 50, 100, or even 250 years?

This program is designed to seamlessly support classroom instruction and aligns with multiple North Carolina Standard Course of Study areas—including Arts Education, English/Language Arts, and Social Studies.

It also connects directly to New Hanover County Schools’ academic pillars, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, cultural literacy, and collaboration.

Homeschooled students are encouraged to participate. Students may also participate as individuals outside of their school programs.

Project Opportunities for Students

 1. Small Project: The “Time Capsule” Playlist
Students will create a time capsule playlist of iconic American music that reflects the evolution of our nation’s sound. As they reflect on the past, students might consider:

  • What makes certain artists and songs continue to resonate across generations?

  • Which contemporary musicians might have the same staying power in the future?

  • How does music both preserve and redefine American identity?

 This retrospective encourages students to think critically about the role music plays in shaping—and reflecting—our history.

 

2. Big Project: Composing the Future of American Music
Students will take a step into the future by composing or orchestrating an original piece that imagines what American music might sound like in 50, 100, or even 250 years.

  • Compositions may be created using online programs, traditional instruments, or a blend of both.

  • Submissions will be uploaded in .mp4 or .mp3 format. Submission instructions will be posted to the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra website.

  • Specific guidelines, instrumentation options, and time limits will be announced soon.

  • Projects are open to all students—whether enrolled in public, private, or homeschool programs, as well as individual submissions outside of a school curriculum.

 

The Prize
A winning piece will be selected, and the student composer will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a professional composer to refine their work. Pending logistics, the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra plans to premiere this original student composition at the City of Wilmington’s annual Fourth of July Celebration at Riverfront Park and Live Oak Bank Pavilion —a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a young musician.