A Tribute to America: Stars, Stripes, and Brass
Join the Charleston Symphony Brass Ensemble for an uplifting night of musical pride as we honor America’s vibrant spirit on the road to our nation’s 250th birthday. Led by the legendary Philip Smith, former Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic and one of the most celebrated players of our time, this one-night-only event is a showcase of brassy brilliance and patriotic zeal.
From The Star-Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful, to jazz-inflected classics by George Gershwin and Broadway icons like Leonard Bernstein, this concert highlights the bold, diverse, and joyful sounds that define the American musical landscape.
As part of the Charleston Symphony’s new chamber orchestra series at Sottile Theatre, we invite you to join us for a star-spangled spectacular celebrating our country’s past, present, and future!
**IMPORTANT TICKETING INFORMATION**
Tickets can be purchased online or through the George Street Box Office only.
George Street Box Office
Phone: 843-953-GSBO (4726)
Email: GSBO@cofc.edu
Hours of Operation: Tuesday-Friday from 10am – 4pm
ARTISTS
Philip Smith, Trumpet + Conductor
Charleston Symphony Brass Ensemble
ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR & SOLOIST
Philip Smith had a lengthy career in the New York Philharmonic, which he joined in 1978 as Co-Principal Trumpet, later becoming Principal Trumpet in 1988. He retired at the end of the 2013–14 season, completing 36 years of service.
Smith is featured on numerous recordings, and his film credits include Punchline (1998), Sphere (1998), The Rookie (2002), and Manchurian Candidate (2004). His commercial soundtrack credits include: “NBC Sunday Night Football Theme 2006” music by John Williams; “NBC Super Bowl XVIII Theme 2008” music by John Williams and Joel Beckerman.
Following studies at the Juilliard School, he joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in January 1975. He has been guest conductor with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Brass and Percussion, National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, and the Hannaford Street Silver Brass Band. He has conducted the New York Philharmonic’s annual “Holiday Brass” concerts in 2014 and 2016-2023, and the Philharmonic Brass and Percussion at the dedication of the 9/11 Memorial Museum in May 2014. In 2005 he was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music, in 2006 he was given the International Trumpet Guild Honorary Award, and in 2022 was awarded the Edwin Franko Goldman Memorial Citation from the American Bandmasters Association.
PROGRAM
John Stafford Smith, arr. Erik Leidzén
Fanfare & The Star Spangled Banner
Anthony DiLorenzo
Luminosity
Kevin McKee
Tribute
George Gershwin, arr. Michael Allen
Three Preludes
Johannes Brahms, arr. Robert Elkjer
Hungarian Dance No. 5
Various arr. Jari Villanueva
Marching Down Broadway
Leonard Bernstein, arr. Austin Ralphson
“America” from West Side Story
INTERMISSION
Peter Graham, adapt. Dorothy Gates
Quicksilver
Arthur Frackenpohl
Music for Shea
- At the Ball Park
- George Cohan Medley
- In The Good Old Summertime
Joseph Turrin
Jazzalogue No. 1
Commissioned by the NY Philharmonic for the 1997 Latin American Tour
Adrianus Valerius and Theodore Baker, arr. Philip Ditmer
Kremser (We Gather Together)
Ricardo Mollá
The Guiding Star
written for the NY Philharmonic 2022 “Holiday Brass” performance
Samuel Augustus Ward, arr. Dorothy Gates
America the Beautiful
arr. Jari Villanueva
Salute to the Armed Forces
