14 Days | 9 Events
Soundtrack of Independence
a musical celebration marking the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
Curated concert experiences, a participatory school band project, and community events, that bring together performers, art-lovers, citizens, scholars and visitors in a public celebration of the lively, varied, solemn, and lasting music of the Founding Era.
May 7-21, 2026
Core Events
America Independent
America's first Oratorio, with Tempesta di Mare
Music by Handel and Arne became a celebration of the Declaration of Independence in 1781. Join us for its first orchestral performance in 250 years!
Most Favourite Music
with The Publick Pleasure
A “City Concert” with familiar Scottish Airs, dance-numbers and chamber music, as performed in 18th-century Philadelphia.
Frank’s Bugle
with Music of the Regiment & New York Baroque Dance Company
A homage to the music and dances composed and performed by Francis Johnson, a free Black man and trumpeter extraordinaire.
Additional Events
Strike up the Band!
wind band music of the American Revolution
Recital: Revolution Tunes
John Walthausen, harpsichord
We March Together
participatory school band play-in
Related Events
May 7, 2026 |
A Federal Fanfare! with The Franklin Quartet
May 21, 2026 |
Alfred: a masque (1757) with Night Music
Performers & Creatives
Tempesta di Mare | Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra
Gwyn Roberts & Richard Stone, directors | Emlyn Ngai, concertmaster
Music of the Regiment
Dominic Giordano, curator & performer
The Publick Pleasure
Eve S. Miller, curator & performer
The New York Baroque Dance Company
Julia Bengtsson, collaborator & performer
Community Partner Organizations:
The Franklin Quartet
Night Music
Ulrike Shapiro, Project Idea & Direction
Brian Ming Chu, baritone
Julia Bengtsson, dancer
Justin Bland, trumpet
Laura Heimes, soprano
Maren Montalbano, mezzo-soprano
Meg Bragle, mezzo-soprano
Idea & Background
The roughly 25,000 inhabitants of Philadelphia in 1775 practiced musical traditions that spanned the Atlantic World: from the British Isles, to continental Europe, West Africa, the Caribbean, and North America.
While fifes and drums were no doubt important features in America’s earliest independence celebrations, Soundtrack of Independence will contribute to a deeper understanding of how the United States’s first generation celebrated, entertained, worshiped, and reflected through music.
These varied traditions shape the music-scene in Philadelphia today—from jazz and pop to classical. Yet, their roots are poorly explored and rarely connect to performers and audiences today.
Each Soundtrack of Independence event connects these historical traditions of music making with themes of American independence and identity. From English Theater and Concert Culture, to America’s first Oratorio, Perspectives on Black Musical Life during the Founding Era, and the Birth of America’s Wind Band Tradition.
Major support for Hidden Virtuosas has been provided by the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Musical Fund Society.