American Dreams
Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, Northshore Concert Band concludes its platinum anniversary season with a program that honors values that have shaped the nation and continue to inspire today.
Featuring music by Kevin Day, Julie Giroux, William Schuman, Fisher Tull, and Edwin Franko Goldman, the program celebrates themes of liberty, healing, duty, character, perseverance, and optimism through bold fanfares, reflective meditations, energetic portrayals of 1930s New York, and spirited marches that honor the enduring American spirit while bringing the season to a jubilant close.
The evening opens with Let Freedom Ring, a stirring tribute to liberty, where bold brass and radiant percussion that embody the resolve of the American people. Let Freedom Ring, an arrangement of My Country ‘tis of Thee, was penned as part of an audition for U.S. Marine Band staff arranger by SSgt. Ryan Nowlin and was performed by the Marine Band on January 21, 2013, at the second inaugural of President Barack Obama.
Kevin Day’s A Hymn for Peace follows with a reflective meditation on healing and renewal in the wake of personal and collective struggle. Written during a difficult period to promote mental health awareness and inner peace, it features intense, melodic, and cinematic moments.
Composed in 1971, Fisher Tull's beautiful and haunting Sketches on a Tudor Psalm, is based on a sixteenth century setting of the Second Psalm by Thomas Tallis.
“Integrity First,” from Julie Giroux’s No Finer Calling, draws on the ideals at the heart of the United States Air Force in a bold fanfare, processional, and march. Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the United States Air Force (1947-2007), No Finer Calling is a symphony in three movements based on the United States Air Force Core Values of “Integrity First,” “Service Before Self,” and “Excellence In All We Do.”
The program turns to music inspired by American perseverance during the Great Depression. George Washington Bridge captures the drive and vitality of 1930s New York City, portraying it as a symbol of innovation, hope, and opportunity. William Schuman set this work in a bridge-like arch form comprised of three large sections to evoke several images of the bridge from different perspectives.
To conclude both the concert and the platinum season, Goldman’s Cheerio March delivers a jubilant finish, celebrating the optimism and spirit that music can sustain in every era.
Ryan Nowlin - Let Freedom Ring
Kevin Day - A Hymn for Peace
Fisher Tull - Sketches on a Tudor Psalm
Julie Giroux - Integrity First from No Finer Calling
William Schuman - George Washington Bridge
Edwin Franko Goldman - Cheerio March
Tickets are priced at $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for students/children. All seats are general admission. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. Please visit northshoreband.org to purchase tickets online through Eventbrite.
American Dreams
June 5, 2026 | 7:30 pm
Niles North High School
Skokie, IL
About the Northshore Concert Band
The Northshore Concert Band, now in its 70th year, is a premier community wind ensemble based in the Chicago area. Dedicated to artistic excellence, community engagement, and music education, the ensemble performs a diverse repertoire ranging from traditional wind band classics to contemporary works and beloved film scores, offering audiences inspiring musical experiences throughout the year.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3632242-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3632242-2
