Free concert of American works celebrating the nation's 250th year, with pieces by Barber, Carter, Parton and others.
This is US: A Tribute to the Indomitable American Spirit comes to the Parkway Central Library on Saturday, November 7, 2026. It's a free concert of American works put together for the nation's 250th year, and the program pulls from a wide range of voices. The main feature is This is US, a collection of pieces by Samuel Barber, Elliott Carter, Dolly Parton, and others.
That lineup tells you exactly where the afternoon is headed. You've got Barber, one of the most recognizable names in American classical music; Carter, who spent decades pushing the boundaries of the form; and Dolly Parton, whose songwriting has become a part of the country's cultural fabric. Hearing them on the same program puts them in conversation with each other, and the variety is the whole point of the tribute. It's not just one tradition on display, but several running side by side.
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The concert is free, so you don't need a ticket to get in. There are two performances that day, one at 1:30 PM and another at 3 PM, which gives you a couple of options depending on your Saturday. The venue is the Parkway Central Library at 1901 Vine St., right in the heart of Philadelphia. If you're already in the neighborhood, it's an easy stop.
