LAWRENCEVILLE
SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA
AUGUST 1st
8:00PM
Lawrenceville Lawn
AMERICA 250: Celebrating our Journey
Join the Lawrenceville Symphony Orchestra for a special evening celebrating America's 250th anniversary as we conclude a day of community festivities hosted by Gwinnett County and the City of Lawrenceville. This free outdoor concert invites audiences of all ages to gather beneath the summer sky for an inspiring program of beloved orchestral works, patriotic favorites, film music, and American classics.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and refreshments to enjoy the concert however is most comfortable for them. Whether you're a lifelong lover of classical music or attending your very first orchestra performance, this family-friendly event offers a welcoming opportunity to experience live symphonic music in one of Lawrenceville's most beautiful outdoor settings.
The evening's program spans nearly two centuries of musical history—from stirring patriotic anthems such as America the Beautiful, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and The Star-Spangled Banner to Copland's spirited Hoe-Down, selections from The Sound of Music and John Williams' iconic Star Wars score, Frank Sinatra's signature song My Way, and the unforgettable final movements of Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 9, From the New World.
Featured Music: John Williams' Star Wars
Few film scores have become as instantly recognizable as John Williams' music for Star Wars. First heard in 1977, Williams' sweeping orchestral score helped revive the grand tradition of symphonic film music and quickly became one of the most celebrated soundtracks in cinematic history.
Drawing inspiration from the great Romantic composers—including Gustav Holst, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and Richard Wagner—Williams created memorable musical themes for heroes, villains, adventure, and triumph. The concert suite's opening movement introduces audiences to the iconic Main Title, whose bold brass fanfare and soaring melodies have become synonymous with imagination, heroism, and the excitement of orchestral music. Decades after its premiere, the score continues to inspire audiences around the world and has introduced countless listeners to the power and beauty of the modern symphony orchestra.
Dvořák's Symphony No. 9, "From the New World"
When Czech composer Antonín Dvořák arrived in New York City in 1892 to direct the National Conservatory of Music, he became fascinated by the question of what an authentic American classical style might sound like. Drawing inspiration from African American spirituals, Native American musical traditions, and the vast landscapes of his new home, Dvořák composed his Ninth Symphony, which premiered at Carnegie Hall in 1893.
Today, the work stands as one of the most beloved symphonies ever written. Its famous second movement features the deeply expressive English horn melody that many listeners recognize as "Goin' Home," while the thrilling fourth movement combines themes from throughout the symphony into a triumphant conclusion. More than 130 years later, From the New World remains a powerful musical reflection on hope, discovery, and the rich cultural traditions that continue to shape the American experience.
