Karen LeFrak’s American Promise is featured in the Houston Symphony’s “Star-Spangled Salute” series, a beloved annual tradition that brings families and communities together to celebrate freedom, honor heroes, and experience the power of live orchestral music.

A fireworks show will follow the concert.

Karen LeFrak’s American Promise receives its Texas premiere in the Houston Symphony’s “Star-Spangled Salute” series, a beloved annual tradition that brings families and communities together to celebrate freedom, honor heroes, and experience the power of live orchestral music.

Karen LeFrak’s American Promise receives its New York premiere in a New York Philharmonic concert that takes the same name, conducted by Eduardo Marturet and featuring violinist Amaryn Olmeda.

Program

John Williams: Liberty Fanfare
Margaret Bonds: Decision, from Montgomery Variations
Karen LeFrak: American Promise (New York premiere)
Florence Price: Juba Dance, from Symphony No. 1
Samuel Barber: Violin Concerto (Amaryn Olmeda, violin)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture

A champagne reception and artist talk will follow the performance.

Original choreography by Maria Konrad, titled Dea, is set to Karen LeFrak’s composition Space and danced by Adji Cissoko (Alonzo King LINES Ballet).

The set is part of “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” at the Ravenna Festival, the closing gala of the Youth Grand Prix Europe international masterclass.

The American Composers Orchestra performs Karen LeFrak’s Five of Brass on June 11 and 12 as part of their American Fanfares series.

Program

John Philip Sousa (arr. Howard Cable): A Sousa Collection
Steven Gerber (arr. Josh Henderson): Fanfare for the Voice of A-M-E-R-I-C-A
Miles Sargent: A Fanfare for Hope
Marco A. Jimenez: Fanfare 17.VI.1775
Alex Martinez: Worry
William Zhang: Battle of the Giants and Dragonflies
Ignacio Rosado: Figments of a Spark
Anderson Davis: UN-Natural
Adam Azrieli: Trotter Road
Michael Hale: Scream
Karen LeFrak: Five of Brass
Ryan Lawrence: A Fanfare for Chaos
Jonah Murphy: Fanfare for Charles Ives
John Philip Sousa (arr. Howard Cable): A Sousa Collection

The American Composers Orchestra performs Karen LeFrak’s Five of Brass on June 11 and 12 as part of their American Fanfares series.

Program

John Philip Sousa (arr. Howard Cable): A Sousa Collection
Steven Gerber (arr. Josh Henderson): Fanfare for the Voice of A-M-E-R-I-C-A
Miles Sargent: A Fanfare for Hope
Marco A. Jimenez: Fanfare 17.VI.1775
Alex Martinez: Worry
William Zhang: Battle of the Giants and Dragonflies
Ignacio Rosado: Figments of a Spark
Anderson Davis: UN-Natural
Adam Azrieli: Trotter Road
Michael Hale: Scream
Karen LeFrak: Five of Brass
Ryan Lawrence: A Fanfare for Chaos
Jonah Murphy: Fanfare for Charles Ives
John Philip Sousa (arr. Howard Cable): A Sousa Collection

The New York City Opera musicians, led by Maestro Constantine Orbelian, will perform the string quintet & clarinet version of Prairie Dawn at the Bryant Park Picnic Performances. Choreographer Maria Konrad choreographed the work with dancers from Youth America Grand Prix under the auspices of Larissa Savaliev.

The show is free and open to the public.

The Miami Symphony Orchestra presents the world premiere of American Promise by Karen LeFrak at Knight Concert Hall, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Led by Maestro Eduardo Marturet, the program also features a vibrant mix of classic and contemporary American works, reflecting the spirit and diversity of American music.

As part of the 250th Anniversary celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the National Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet will perform Karen LeFrak’s “Five of Brass” at George Washington's Mount Vernon. LeFrak’s composition showcases the expressive power of the brass, offering a tribute to America’s ideals and the spirit of freedom.

In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the National Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet will present Karen LeFrak’s Five of Brass at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center. Highlighting the bold colors and versatility of the brass ensemble, the work reflects themes of freedom, resilience, and the enduring ideals at the heart of the American experience.

Karen LeFrak’s Miami Guitar Concerto is featured with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, performed by GRAMMY-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin and conducted by Tamara Dworetz, alongside classical favorites at The Smith Center.

The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra presents Miami Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra by Karen LeFrak, featuring GRAMMY-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin. Conducted by Matthew Kraemer.

GRAMMY-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin and conductor Elizabeth Schulze present the Miami Concerto for Guitar and Chamber Orchestra at the Aspen Music Festival, along with two other chamber works by LeFrak: Habanera Nights and Urban Tango.

GRAMMY-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin headlines the 2025 Vancouver USA Arts and Music Festival with the Northwest premiere of Karen LeFrak’s Miami Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra.

The Festival’s cherished free Family Concert program features Karen LeFrak‘s delightful Sleepover at the Museum, an accessible and charming story for audiences of all ages.

The Miami Symphony Orchestra performs Karen LeFrak’s full-orchestra version of Glory, originally composed for brass and percussion.

Sleepover at the Museum conducted by Helen Martell.

Sleepover at the Museum conducted by Helen Martell.

The NSO presents an evening of timeless favorites by Beethoven, Strauss, and Copland—paired with vibrant dance rhythms inspired by tango, Andean folk, Argentinian ballet, and African American juba! This community celebration also features Karen LeFrak’s “SPACE” and Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon’s fiery tribute to Beethoven, Fate Now Conquers. Conducted by Steven Reineke, with mezzo soprano Marquita Cooper as the soloist.

Timeless grace and modern brilliance in one enchanting evening.

Space (DEA)
Choreography: Maria Konrad
Music: Karen LeFrak 
Dancers: Jolie Rose Lombardo and Yaroslav Khudych

Timeless grace and modern brilliance in one enchanting evening.

Space (DEA)
Choreography: Maria Konrad
Music: Karen LeFrak 
Dancers: Jolie Rose Lombardo and Yaroslav Khudych

Sharon Isbin, guitar
Forrest Eimold, piano
Jeffrey Ziegler, cello
Javier Diaz, Mariana Rodriguez, Rolando Morales and Victor Pablo García-Gaetán, percussion
Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Elizabeth Askren, conductor

Composer Portrait: program featuring works for solo piano, chamber ensemble, and the New York Premiere of the Miami Guitar Concerto. Featuring performances by Sharon Isbin, Forrest Eimold, Jeffrey Zeigler, Javier Diaz, Mariana Rodriguez, Rolando Morales, Victor Pablo García-Gaetán, and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s.

More information and tickets here.