Composer Peter Boyer and photographer/video artist Joe Sohm have been commissioned to create a major new work entitled American Mosaic, for narrator and orchestra with video, in celebration of “America250,” the United States Semiquincentennial, in 2026.
The American Mosaic project is a co-commission of multiple orchestras. The Kennedy Center / National Symphony Orchestra is the lead commissioner, with Thomas Wilkins scheduled to conduct the premiere performances of the work, February 19-22, 2026. Other co-commissioners include the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for the Cincinnati Pops, narrated by Martin Sheen and conducted by John Morris Russell (March 13-15, 2026); Pacific Symphony, conducted by Alexander Shelley (May 28-30, 2026); the Des Moines Symphony, conducted by Joseph Giunta (dates TBA); and the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Butterman (May 7-9, 2026).
Additional orchestras and conductors are expected to join the commissioning consortium, with performances in summer and fall 2026, and to be announced at a later date.
Included here are links for the programs featuring American Mosaic, from the National Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, and Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra.
The American Mosaic project is also being developed as a potential television program for 2026. More information may be found here.
