The Nittany Valley Symphony will celebrate styles and genres that define the collective sound of the United States with the program “America at 250.” The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in Eisenhower Auditorium. 

“This program has a little bit of something for everyone. That is the beauty of American music: It is a mix of many different styles and genres,” said Nittany Valley Symphony Music Director and Conductor Timothy Farrand. “From jazz to popular song, from Broadway to Hollywood, this program highlights the many corners of our diverse musical culture in this country.” 

The Nittany Valley Symphony’s March concert celebrates the contributions of American composers that came to define the country’s collective sound. 

“American music has never been defined by a single tradition, but by a vibrant blend of styles and art forms,” Farrand said. “I created ‘America at 250’ to celebrate, in this anniversary year, the remarkable range of composers and genres in the 20th century that have defined American music.” 

The “America at 250” program will include: 

• Selections from the songbooks of Cole Porter and Irving Berlin 
• “Poem” (1944), William Grant Still 
• Highlights from “Jurassic Park,” John Williams, arr. Calvin Custer 
• “On the Waterfront” Symphonic Suite (1955), Leonard Bernstein 
• “Candide” Overture, Bernstein 

If the names of the composers aren’t familiar, remember your reaction to hearing “God Bless America” or “White Christmas,” and watching “Jurassic Park,” “Maestro” or “On the Waterfront.” 

Tickets are $29 for an adult, and $9 for students and those younger than 18. Tickets are available for purchase online. Tickets are also available by calling 814-863-0255 or in person, weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Eisenhower Auditorium. You can avoid the $4-per-ticket online service fee by calling or visiting Eisenhower Auditorium.  

Call 814-231-8224 or visit “America at 250” online for more information.

Parking details 

Parking is $5.60 per vehicle when reserved in advance or $10 starting at midnight on the day of the performance. You can make a reservation until 10 a.m. on the day of the performance or until reservations have sold out. Parking is assigned for a deck near the event and will be searchable by that event. 

Visit ParkWhiz online to reserve parking. Visit Parking online for more details about parking. 

America250PA Centre County