Lone Star Wind Orchestra Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary With An American Soundscape Nov. 22 At Moody Performance Hall
(Featured photo: Lone Star Wind Orchestra)
Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary through the power of music, the Lone Star Wind Orchestra will present An American Soundscape: Salute to Morton Gould on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 3 p.m. at Moody Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District (2520 Flora St.).
Opening the orchestra’s 2026-2027 season, the concert celebrates the rich musical traditions that have shaped America, featuring works by some of the nation’s most influential composers, a special tribute to Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Morton Gould and a world premiere honoring longtime music director Eugene Migliaro Corporon.
Adding a personal touch to the afternoon, Gould’s daughter, Abby G. Burton, will attend the performance and share stories about her father’s remarkable life and musical legacy.
One of America’s most celebrated composers, Morton Gould (1913-1996) was known for blending classical music with jazz, popular melodies and distinctly American musical traditions. A recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music, a Kennedy Center Honor and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Gould left an enduring mark on American music.
The concert will feature three of his compositions: Fanfare for Freedom, Ballad for Band and the celebrated American Salute, a stirring interpretation of the Civil War-era song “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” Gould composed the piece in just one night in 1942, during World War II, after a radio producer requested a musical salute to America. Working from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m., he completed the score in time for rehearsal the next morning and a national radio broadcast that evening. The piece went on to become one of his most enduring works.
Another highlight will be the world premiere of Suite Eugene, a four-movement composition honoring Maestro Corporon and his extraordinary influence on generations of musicians. Several of his former students will return to perform in the premiere, making the tribute especially meaningful.
Written by four composers, Suite Eugene includes:
- Déjà vu All Over Again, Jack Stamp
- Lodestar, John Lynch
- Gracious and Gritty, Thomas Stone
- Pacific Cabaret, Robert Spittal
“Music has always been an important part of America’s story, and this concert gives us an opportunity to celebrate that history while honoring two extraordinary musical legacies,” said LSWO co-founder Christopher Tucker. “Having Morton Gould’s daughter with us and welcoming back musicians whose lives have been shaped by Eugene Corporon makes this an especially personal and meaningful performance.”
Led by Maestro Corporon, the program also features the LSWO Woodwind Quintet and a selection of American classics, including:
- Variations on “America”, Charles Ives
- Concerto Grosso for Woodwind Quintet, Robert Russell Bennett
- The Stars and Stripes Forever, John Philip Sousa
Founded in 2006, the Lone Star Wind Orchestra celebrates 20 years of Music Changing Lives, continuing its commitment to exceptional performances, music education and community engagement. The organization also operates the Lone Star Youth Winds and educational programs that inspire the next generation of musicians.
The orchestra’s 2026-2027 season continues with From Fuji to the Spirit World: A Japanese Cultural Concert on Jan. 24, followed by the Lone Star Youth Winds’ Where Legends Still Sing: A Celtic Celebration on March 7. The Lone Star Wind Orchestra returns April 18 with Give Us This Day: Music of Hope and Renewal, while the Lone Star Youth Winds close out the season May 9 with Bright Lights. All performances take place at Moody Performance Hall.
Tickets are available at lswo.com. For more information, visit the website.
ABOUT THE LONE STAR WIND ORCHESTRA
The Lone Star Wind Orchestra is a nonprofit arts organization founded in 2006 to advance the wind orchestra as an artistic medium. Its mission is to create life-changing experiences through unforgettable performances, music education, collaboration and inclusive community engagement. The organization also operates the Lone Star Youth Winds and offers education and outreach programs, including Lone Star Kids, which connect students with leading musicians, composers and conductors.
Photo courtesy Lone Star Wind Orchestra
(This Philanthropy Lifestyles Buzz courtesy Lone Star Wind Orchestra.)
