The Traverse City Philharmonic will host a "high-energy celebration of American music" in a program called American Fireworks! on Sunday, January 18 at 3pm at Corson Auditorium. Led by Conductor Kevin Rhodes and featuring pianist Jeffrey Biegel, the concert will culminate in the Michigan premiere of Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue - a newly commissioned work by composer Peter Boyer written especially for Biegel.

Headlining the program is George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, paired with the premiere of
Boyer’s Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue, conceived as a modern companion to Gershwin’s classic. "The pairing offers audiences a rare opportunity to hear two landmark American rhapsodies - one a cornerstone of the repertoire, the other a bold new work making its first appearance on a Michigan stage," according to a TC Phil release.

The program also features two American masterpieces: Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances
from West Side Story and Aaron Copland’s Buckaroo Holiday. "Together, the program forms a dynamic tribute to American creativity as the nation marks 250 years of independence in 2026, highlighting the evolution of the American orchestral voice - from Gershwin’s jazz-infused brilliance to Bernstein’s theatrical intensity, Copland’s rugged optimism, and Boyer’s vibrant, modern sound," according to TC Phil.

Tickets ($27+) and additional information are available at TCPhil.org or by calling 231-947-7120.