Roswell Symphony Orchestra Announces Season Opener: America 250
ROSWELL, NM — The Roswell Symphony Orchestra (RSO) is returning from its summer break with an exciting kickoff for its latest musical season. On September 26, the RSO will present America 250, a concert celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The program will feature a selection of patriotic music from various eras.
Concertgoers can look forward to works by notable composers such as Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Leroy Anderson, and John Philip Sousa. The orchestra will also perform a medley of U.S. military branch songs and encourage the audience to join in singing an arrangement of “America, the Beautiful.”
In addition to the patriotic pieces, the concert will spotlight selections from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess,” a groundbreaking folk opera that premiered in 1935. This work brilliantly fused classical music with jazz, blues, and spirituals, featuring beloved melodies like “Summertime” and “I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’.” The opera, set in Charleston’s fictional Catfish Row, explores themes of love, hardship, and hope within a close-knit community.
RSO Music Director Dr. John Farrer has described this anniversary as a “once-in-a-lifetime milestone.” He expressed excitement for the concert, emphasizing that it showcases enjoyable and accessible music: “We will be having a good time as well.”
The concert is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Pearson Auditorium, located at 101 W. College Blvd., on the New Mexico Military Institute campus. Tickets range from $20 to $35 and are available at roswellsymphony.org, by calling 575-623-5882, or at the door. Notably, all students can attend symphony concerts free of charge.
Upcoming Concerts
Beyond the season opener, the RSO has a robust lineup for the rest of the season:
- Christmas Classics — Sunday, December 13, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.
- Classical and Romantic — Saturday, March 6, 2027, at 7 p.m. featuring guest violin soloist Nathan Meltzer.
- Rhapsody in Blue — Saturday, April 24, 2027, at 7 p.m. featuring Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with returning guest piano soloist Evren Ozel.
Dr. Farrer believes that the remaining concerts will be equally captivating: “I think the rest of the season will be absolutely terrific.”
About the RSO
The Roswell Symphony Orchestra was founded on July 28, 1959, in the basement of the First Methodist Church. The original members, composed of local amateurs from various professions, aimed to create a professional-sounding orchestra. Dr. Farrer has been directing since the 1972 season and has received the Governor’s Award for Excellence and Achievement.
Today, the RSO features professional musicians who travel from cities within a 200-mile radius, with the mission to provide high-quality orchestral performances and music education for children and young adults in Roswell and Southeast New Mexico.
Event Details
- WHAT: Roswell Symphony Orchestra presents America 250
- WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 7 p.m.
- WHERE: Pearson Auditorium, 101 W. College Blvd., Roswell, NM 88201
- TICKETS: $20–$35 at roswellsymphony.org, 575-623-5882, or at the door; students free
Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of American music and heritage!
