A musical journey of Heritage, Heart, and Horizon.
Celebrate the Spirit of America at its 250th Anniversary with Hope & Home—a powerful evening of music inspired by cross-cultural discovery, spiritual depth, and the enduring power of human connection. From the stirring brass of Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, to the soulful longing in Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, and the sweeping vision of his beloved Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”, Dvořák’s resonant love letter to America—and to his own homeland.
These works share a profound emotional journey that transcends nation and culture, reminding us of the power and success of the great American “melting pot”. Together, they remind us that music has the power to bridge worlds, heal hearts, and express what words cannot. Join us as we pay tribute to the voices that shaped our nation—and those still rising.
With a Side-by-Side appearance in the New World Symphony by the musicians of the Youth Symphony of Youth Music Illinois, in recognition of YMI’s 60th year inspiring young musicians.
Featuring charismatic Guest Artist Joshua Roman, Cello
”Being human is better than being perfect..” Joshua Roman
Concert benefits Shared Blessings,
our Community Partner
The Program
Fanfare for the Common Man - Aaron Copland
Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, "From the New World" - Antonín Dvořák
Intermission
Cello Concerto In B Minor, Op. 104 - Antonín Dvořák
Celebrity Guest, cellist Joshua Roman
“Extraordinary technical and musical gifts... a blend of precision and almost improvisatory freedom that goes straight to the heart."
– San Francisco Chronicle
Joshua Roman is a cello soloist and composer, hailed for his “effortlessly expressive tone… and playful zest for exploration” (The New York Times). His genre-bending programs and wide-ranging collaborations have grown out of an “enthusiasm for musical evolution that is as contagious as his love for the classics" (The Seattle Times).
Committed to bringing classical music to new audiences, Roman opened the acclaimed 2017 TED Conference — and his performance of the complete Bach Cello Suites after the 2016 U.S. presidential election was the most-viewed event in the history of TED’s social channels, with nearly a million live viewers. Roman has collaborated with world-class artists across genres and disciplines, including Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, DJ Spooky, Tony-winner/MacArthur Genius Bill T. Jones, GRAMMY®-winning East African vocalist Somi, and Tony-nominated actor Anna Deavere Smith.
As a soloist, Roman’s “exceptionally high quality of performances” (The Los Angeles Times) combine “the expressive control of Casals with the creative individuality and virtuoso flair of Hendrix himself” (Gramophone). He has performed with leading orchestras around the United States and the world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, New World Symphony, Toronto Symphony, BBC Scottish, and Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra, and he was principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony from age 22 to 24.
Roman released the ambitious and deeply personal Immunity in October 2024 on Bright Shiny Things. The album—his first as a solo artist—is an intimate musical exploration of Roman’s life-altering experience of ongoing Long COVID, with music ranging from J.S. Bach to George Crumb to Caroline Shaw, as well as Roman’s own compositions. In an interview for Strings Magazine, Roman shared the inspiration behind the recording, stating that “Each piece on Immunity was chosen because it has been important to me in one way or another on my current health journey with Long COVID, and together they make a statement about this moment both personally and artistically.” Since the album’s release, he has continued raising awareness of the condition and the importance of finding strength in vulnerability through performances and speaking engagements in the U.S. and abroad. These engagements have included residencies at Stanford University and Yale University; participation in the Aspen Ideas Festival and the Oslo Freedom Forum; and well-being concerts at Carnegie Hall. Roman is set to launch a second musical project in spring 2026, building on the success and impact of Immunity.