Fanfare for the Common Man

News April 6, 2026

LSO Season Finale Celebrates 250 Years of Being

The April 28th LSO concert, “250 Years of Being,” under the direction of Maestro Richard Prior, will take place at 7:30 PM in Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange, GA. [Tickets: Available HERE.] This commemorative program marks our nation’s 250th anniversary and you need to be a part of it! This concert offers joyful reflection, tribute, and inspiration as it continues the LSO’s season-long theme of Breaking Sound Barriers, inviting audiences to experience music that resonates across generations. (Full concert program is listed below)

The Heart of the People

Included in the April 28th concert program is Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. This piece has become one of the most iconic expressions of the American spirit. Composed in 1942 during World War II, the piece was written to honor the everyday individuals whose courage and dedication shape the all-important fabric of daily life. Its bold brass fanfares and resonant percussion create a sound that feels both monumental and deeply grounded. The work is notable for its ability to convey strength without aggression—noble, uplifting, and quietly heroic. Copland’s careful use of rhythm and harmony gives it a sense of expansive possibility, making it feel timeless and universally inspiring. Timeless indeed! Its impact has reached beyond the classical world. Among others, the progressive rock group Emerson, Lake & Palmer famously adapted the piece in the 1970s, bringing its grandeur and spirit to new audiences. This enduring adaptability makes it a perfect choice for a concert celebrating 250 years of American history.

Copland’s Legacy and a Special Return

Copland remains one of the most influential voices in American music, and the LSO has featured numerous great works by him over the years. Most recently, audiences experienced Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo in the 2019 “Sounds of Dance” concert and Appalachian Spring in the 2017 “Earth” concert. Now, after 15 years, the orchestra brings Fanfare for the Common Man back into the repertoire, a fitting tribute to this 250th anniversary year. Its bold, resonant sound and timeless message of shared strength and national identity make it a deeply meaningful inclusion, honoring both the enduring spirit of the American people and the orchestra’s own history with Copland’s music.

A Patriotic Celebration and a Thrilling Finale

The evening’s program begins with a spirited celebration of American pride through favorites, including:

Fanfare for the Common Man (Aaron Copland)
Armed Forces Salute (arr. Bob Lowden)
Washington Post March (John Philip Sousa)
The Stars and Stripes Forever (John Philip Sousa)
America the Beautiful (Samuel A. Ward)
Savannah River Holiday (Ron Nelson)

These works honor our nation’s history and spirit. That energy and pride lead naturally to the grand finale: Andrés Martin’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, performed by renowned soloist and LSO Concertmaster Samuel Vargas Teixeira. A stunningly lyrical, dramatic, and exhilarating work, the concerto is written in memory of trailblazing conductor Michael Morgan (1957–2021) and dedicated to Vargas, a rising international star in the violin world. This performance offers a personal expression of strength and artistry that complements the broader celebration of community and national pride, bringing the season to a thrilling and meaningful close.

You Are Invited

You are invited to join the LSO on April 28th, 2026, at 7:30 PM in Callaway Auditorium for this season finale, where music has the power to bring us together in a way nothing else can. Let yourself be carried by the bold, resonant sounds of the orchestra, and feel the connection that music creates—across distances, languages, and generations. Even Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man didn’t just stay in the concert hall—it broke out, made its way onto rock stages, and found new life with new audiences, proving that great music was never meant to sit still. It’s meant to break sound barriers—and bring us all a little closer together, right here on April 28th in LaGrange.

TICKETS for the LSO's "250 Years of Being" concert