Celebrate the rich and evolving tapestry of American music with America 250, a concert series honoring the diverse voices and stories that have shaped the nation’s artistic legacy. In this compelling program, the Driftwood Quintet brings together a vibrant selection of works that reflect the spirit, struggle, and beauty of America across generations.

The performance features composers Scott Joplin and William Grant Still, showcasing music that blends classical form with African American folk traditions to tell a story of empowerment and community. It also features the music of Amy Beach, one of America’s first prominent female composers and “Ritmo Indio” by Louis W. Ballard, which celebrates Native American musical heritage through rhythm and color. The final featured piece, written by living composer Valerie Coleman, is “Portraits of Josephine”: a vibrant tribute to the legendary Josephine Baker, full of energy, elegance, and cultural resonance.