Conference: Forging an American Musical Identity in the Long 19th Century

This is the kickoff event for the exploration of our country’s rich musical heritage.

About this Event

Join us for this diverse and exciting multidisciplinary conference in New York City (January 28-30, 2026). It will culminate with a concert at Carnegie Hall by the American Symphony Orchestra (Leon Botstein, conducting), including the modern premiere of George Frederick Bristow's Symphony No. 5 Niagara.

Wednesday, 28 January

David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Centerfor the Performing Arts
65th Street and Broadway

Thursday, 29 January

Elebash Recital Hall, Graduate Center, City University of New York
365 Fifth Avenue (@ 34th Street)

Friday, 30 January

Segal Hall, Graduate Center,City University of New York
365 Fifth Avenue (@ 34th Street)

Wednesday, 28 January


🕑: 08:45 AM - 06:00 PM
LOCATION: Sidewalk Studio, Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center

🕑: 08:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Session 1: Developing an American Cultural Identity

🕑: 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Session 2: Music of Everyday Life

🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:00 PM
EXHIBITION: “A Life on the Ocean Wave”: George Bristow

Info: LOCATION: NYPL for the Performing Arts, Music Division, third floor (40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023)

🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Session 3: Music in the Political Arena

🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Session 4: Enterprising Women and the Musical Economy

🕑: 07:30 PM - 09:15 PM
Lecture/Recitals: Late-Century American Women Composers and Performers

Info: LOCATION: (For conference registrants only) Century Association (7 West 43rd Street, New York, New York)

Thursday, 29 January


🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:30 PM
LOCATION: Elebash Recital Hall, Graduate Center, City University of New York

🕑: 08:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Session 5: NY Opera Houses and Reviving the Spirit of ’76

🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Session 6: The Music of Moravian Life

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Session 7: Navigating the Racial Divide after the Civil War

🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Session 8: Music Everywhere All at Once

🕑: 04:00 PM - 06:15 PM
Panel Discussion: The World and Music of George Frederick Bristow

🕑: 08:00 PM - 09:30 PM
8:00-9:30 Concert: A.P. Heinrich "Sunset Chimes" and W.H. Fry string quartet

Friday, 30 January


🕑: 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
LOCATION: Segal Hall, Graduate Center, City University of New York

🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Session 9: Black Identities

🕑: 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Session 10: Beyond the Score

🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Session 11: Planting Musical Ideas

🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Session 12: An American Kaleidoscope

🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:15 PM
Wrap Up and brief discussion

🕑: 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Concert: American Symphony Orchestra – Forging an American Musical Identity

Info: LOCATION: Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and 7th Ave, New York, New York

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