CofC Orchestra to Celebrate America's 250th Birthday

For its third tour in four years, the College of Charleston Orchestra and Opera will perform at Boston Symphony Hall, celebrating America’s 250th with a vibrant program of iconic American composers. The concert will feature Bernstein’s energetic overtures from Candide and West Side Story; Gershwin’s “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, bringing a touch of Charleston’s charm to Boston; and Copland’s stirring The Promise of Living from The Tender Land, evoking the spirit of American hope and community. The program will culminate with the uplifting Make Our Garden Grow from Candide. This once-in-a-lifetime performance is a celebration of America’s musical heritage, showcasing the College of Charleston’s orchestra and opera programs as they present this rich and diverse repertoire in the heart of Boston. Conducted by Yuriy Bekker.

With a history of impressive performances at venues like the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, and collaborations with renowned soloists Augustin Hadelich and Sarah Chang, the orchestra continues its upward trajectory. The Boston Symphony Hall concert is another exceptional professional opportunity for our students. Please consider a donation of any size to help with their journey and experience.

Donate to the Orchestra

Attend the Concerts

Experience the College of Charleston Orchestra in action at Boston Symphony Hall or at grand venues in Charleston leading up to the exciting Boston concert.
  • Fall Charleston Concert: Monday, Dec. 1, 2025

    Can't make it to Boston in March? Cheer on our orchestra locally at the Sottile Theatre. Experience the exceptional musicianship of the orchestra locally at a performance featuring Gustav Holst's The Planets, Op. 32. Composed in 1917, this monumental work is a suite of movements, each named after a planet in our Solar System and its corresponding astrological character.

    Tickets to Fall Concert
  • Spring Charleston Concert: Monday, March 16, 2026

    Cheer on the orchestra at this "send off" concert at the Gaillard Center, as they perform repertoire from their Boston performance. (Ticket link coming soon.)

  • Boston Concert: Sunday, March 29, 2026

    Admission is free with advance reservation. (Reservations will open in early 2026.) A special alumni event will offer a chance to join in the celebration and toast to Cougar Pride.

College of Charleston Orchestra

Under the baton of acclaimed conductor Yuriy Bekker, this orchestra of music majors and passionate non-majors, faculty and alumni presents stirring concerts throughout the year including performances at the grand concert halls of Charleston. The orchestra has featured internationally renowned guest artists, such as violinists Augustin Hadelich (2022, 2024) and Sarah Chang (2023). In 2023, the College of Charleston Orchestra was one of four select orchestras to perform for the exclusive Capital Orchestra Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This milestone concert featured Brahms' Academic Festival Overture and Hungarian Dance no. 1, and "Charlestonia: A Folk Rhapsody" composed by Charleston's own Edmund Thornton Jenkins. The College of Charleston Orchestra continued a trajectory of excellence and opportunity with its debut at Carnegie Hall in 2025; the concert paid tribute to Charleston’s exceptional musical legacy and connections to New York City.

The orchestra is invited to perform at Boston Symphony Hall in 2026, in celebration of America's 250th.

In the Media:
  • The Hub - S.C. Arts Commission article announces the Boston concert
  • The College Today article highlighting summer research by orchestra member Isaac Hill
  • The College Today article highlighting Carnegie Hall Performance and Ginger Vallen, Jayme Klinger Host, Yuriy Bekker, Zachary Butler, Isaac Hill, Yiorgos Vassilandonakis, Edward Hart, and Frank & Peggy Oldham, 3/10/25
  • The Post & Courier article "Charleston in NYC: The symphony's debut at Carnegie Hall was a monumental moment," 3/2/25

College of Charleston Orchestra on Stage

CofC Orchestra Concert at Carnegie Hall
CofC Orchestra Concert at Carnegie Hall
CofC Orchestra Concert with Augustin Hadelich
CofC Orchestra Concert with Augustin Hadelich
 
 

With a history of spectacular performances at venues like the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, as well as local concerts featuring renowned guest soloists, the College of Charleston Orchestra consistently provides invaluable professional milestones for its members.