February 20–21, 2026
Join the Cedarville University School of Arts and Humanities for a two-day celebration of creativity and scholarship culminating in a powerful Saturday evening concert with Peter Boyer’s Ellis Island: The Dream of America and Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and Lincoln Portrait.
Friday’s symposium events in Alumni Hall will feature student and faculty presentations, exhibits, and performances across music, theatre, art, design, and history. Saturday’s concert at 7 p.m. highlights the collaborative spirit of the arts at Cedarville, weaving together music, drama, and storytelling to reflect on the American journey of hope and identity.
Save the date and plan to join us for this free community event!
Saturday's Concert Highlights
Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 7 p.m.
James T. Jeremiah Chapel, Dixon Ministry Center
Fanfare for the Common Man – Aaron Copland
One of the most recognizable works in American classical music, Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man was composed in 1942 during World War II. With its bold brass and percussion, the piece was inspired by a speech urging recognition of the everyday working people who sustain a nation. Its grandeur and simplicity make it an enduring anthem of dignity and resilience.
Lincoln Portrait – Aaron Copland
Written in 1942, Copland’s Lincoln Portrait blends stirring orchestral writing with spoken word narration performed by Senior Professor Emeritus of Music, Michael DiCuirci.. The piece weaves together excerpts from Abraham Lincoln’s speeches and writings, including the Gettysburg Address, alongside American folk melodies. It is both a musical tribute to Lincoln’s legacy and a call to reflect on freedom, equality, and unity.
Ellis Island: The Dream of America – Peter Boyer
The centerpiece of the evening, Boyer’s Ellis Island: The Dream of America is a moving multimedia work for wind ensemble and seven actors. It tells the stories of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island in the early 20th century, combining their personal testimonies with projected images and evocative music. A collaboration across music, theatre, art, and design, the work honors the courage and dreams of those who helped shape the American story.
This concert is the centerpiece of a larger two-day event hosted by the School of Arts and Humanities, with additional student and faculty showcases to be announced soon. You won’t want to miss this inspiring celebration of art, history, and community.