Concert Details

Image from recording of May 10, 2025 concert courtesy of Rutgers University
Image from recording of May 10, 2025 concert courtesy of Rutgers University

Liberty’s Legacy: 250 Years of American Music

Saturday, May 9, 2026

7:30 p.m.

Nicholas Music Center

Rutgers University/Douglass Campus
New Brunswick, NJ
Map/Directions

Join us in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of America and the 50th anniversary of Mason Gross School of the Arts.

All RUAWS concerts are FREE and open to the public.

Event parking is free, but you must register your vehicle. Click the Parking Registration button below to register.

Concert Program

Under the Direction of:

Photo of Daniel Zugale

Daniel Zugale

Music Director
MGSA '00, '07
Bio/Website
photo of Philip Muratore

Philip Muratore

Assistant Music Director
MGSA '18
Bio/Website

Guest Conductors

photo of Joan Stasio

Joan Stasio

Guest Conductor:
Dawn's Early Light
DC '84, MGSA '16
Conductor, Teacher, Percussion, Piano, Voice
photo of Brendan Kopervos

Brendan Kopervos

Guest Composer/Conductor:
American Dream
MGSA '23
Composer, Conductor, Bassoon

Featured Artist

photo of Frederick Hurford

Frederick Hurford

Narrator:
Lincoln Portrait
RC '88
Bassoon, Contrabassoon, English Horn

Program Highlights

American Dream (In Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution),
composed and conducted by Brendan Kopervos

Dawn's Early Light (From the "Liberty Suite", 2nd Movement),
by Marc J. Stasio, conducted by Joan Stasio

Lincoln Portait,
by Aaron Copland, tr. Walter Beeler, narrator Frederick Hurford

...and more!

Full Concert Program