Connecticut’s Orchestra New England in one of its annual Colonial Concerts, which style New Haven’s United Church on the Green to look as it might have in the 18th century. Photo source: Orchestra New England Facebook.
In Thursday’s (2/26) Hartford Courant, Christopher Arnott writes, “Over a dozen symphony orchestras in Connecticut are performing at least 16 separate concerts through July honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States…. The neatest fit between a local orchestra and the founding of our nation is the New Haven-based Orchestra New England. ONE may be a youngster compared to many other orchestras in the state, having been founded in 1974 by James Sinclair. ONE may be best known for championing the work of modernist Connecticut composer Charles Ives. Yet, since 1980, the orchestra has also become known for its annual ‘Colonial Concerts’ … Its ‘America 250’ concert in May will feature premieres by … by Jan Swafford, a Yale School of Music alum who is also known for his biographies of major composers … and Neely Bruce, the esteemed Connecticut composer … Orchestra Lumos made its entire 2025-26 schedule an ‘America 250’ season. Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra has a ‘Sounds of America’ concert in April, but just did another American anniversary-themed concert, ‘American Enginuity,’ in February.” The article lists America 250 concerts at Connecticut orchestras including the New Haven Symphony, Nutmeg Symphony, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra New England, Torrington Symphony Orchestra, Danbury Symphony Orchestra, Cheshire Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and Wallingford Symphony Orchestra.
