America 250 opens Bishop’s Stortford Sinfonia’s 11th season with a vibrant celebration of American music, showcasing four distinctive voices across nearly a century of orchestral writing.

Returning to the beautiful Memorial Hall at Bishop’s Stortford College, the programme begins with the driving energy of Margaret Brouwer’s Pulse, before the lyrical elegance of Samuel Barber’s Essay No. 1 offers a moment of reflection. Leonard Bernstein’s infectious Three Dance Episodes from On the Town captures the excitement and vitality of New York, leading to Aaron Copland’s much-loved Rodeo – a joyful evocation of the wide-open landscapes and pioneering spirit of the American West.

From bustling city streets to expansive horizons, this opening concert is filled with colour, rhythm and unforgettable melodies, launching another exciting season of live orchestral music with energy, warmth and optimism.