Prescott, AZ—April 28, 2025 — Prescott’s Arizona Philharmonic celebrates the 250th year of the United States of America with a series of five concerts featuring American composers whose contributions help shape the evolving identity of classical music in the United States. Beginning October 5, AZ Phil’s Season 8 — Voices of America: A Season of American Composers invites you to experience a breadth of American compositional voices—spanning lyricism, innovation, emotion, and cultural depth.

Voices of America Season 8 Schedule

On October 5, Maestro Peter Bay returns to conduct Arizona Philharmonic in Music Reimagined, a program that interprets memory, motion, and light, and features American composers Samuel Barber and Augusta Reed Thomas.

On December 7, The Brilliance of Brass, will get you into the holiday spirit with the sparkle and majesty of brass, offering classic carols and new holiday tunes, connecting you to lively rhythms, bold harmonies, and joyous sounds that bring the season to life. Repertoire to include American Christmas tunes written during WWII in honor of Pearl Harbor Day and other favorites.

The February 15^th concert features Mezzo-soprano Ariana Iniguez, praised for her rich tone and musicality, joining the Arizona Philharmonic String Quartet in Singing from the Heart, a Valentine’s weekend performance of romantic arias, lieder, and chamber works. Featured American Composers include Price and Still, and former Prescott resident, Mat Lanning.

Colors in Spring, on March 15 beckons you to step into a spring concert where color, dance, and shadow unfold through three distinct voices. Double Steinway Artist and Prescott resident James D’León returns with an audience-favorite chamber trio for a program that spans vivid contrasts and expressive depth, and features acclaimed composer Jennifer Higdon, representing a modern American voice in this program honoring America’s 250th.

On May 3, Maestro Peter Bay leads Cast of Characters, the final performance of the season featuring a cast of musical characters—each piece offering a distinct role, from playful and lyrical to quietly defiant and boldly inventive. Thurber’s Dogs opens the program with musical portraits drawn from James Thurber’s cartoon sketches—short, colorful pieces that capture the quirks and charm of a parade of imaginary dogs, composed by American composer Peter Schickele, known for his satirical alter ego, P.D.Q. Bach.

Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with Prescott’s Arizona Philharmonic by applauding the composers of majestic music brought to life by professional musicians. From Samuel Barber’s poignant Adagio to Peter Schickele’s whimsical tributes to cartoon dogs, this season invites you to hear the many tones of America—past and present, melancholy and bold, lyrical and strong.

Performance Prelude—In the Artist’s Words, is a series of informal discussions offered the Saturday before each concert at 11:00 am. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children and are available at AZPhil.org.

** Please note ** Performance Prelude is a separate event from Sunday’s pre-concert talk and will feature distinct content.

About Arizona Philharmonic

Founded in 2018, Arizona Philharmonic (AZ Phil) is Prescott’s only professional orchestra focused on classical music, presenting large and small concerts that engage and inspire listeners. In its seventh season in 2024-25, AZ Phil draws musicians from across Arizona and is committed to offering transformative music, while nurturing community participation and supporting the needs and growth of the Prescott area performing arts scene. Recognized in 2021 by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce for Excellence in Arts and Culture, Arizona Philharmonic is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Ticket information, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities can be found at AZPhil.org or on Facebook.