ICG Guest Blog: A List of "JPE" Orchestral Works for a Year-Long Celebration

Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday in 2026
The “Semiquincentennial” or “Sestercentennial” or “Quarter Millennial”

A List of "Just Patriotic Enough" Orchestral Works for a Year-Long
 Celebration


By Retired Major Brian Dix, United States Marine Corps, an independent Conductor & Composer from San Diego California

  In anticipation of America's momentous 250th birthday in 2026, the world of classical music stands poised to create    a year-long celebration extending beyond the traditional festivities of Independence Day. Amidst the grandeur,       there exists a delightful consideration of ‘diamonds in the rough’—musical works that skillfully strike the delicate     balance in concert repertoire of patriotism without veering into the realm of going full-blown “Pops.”

 Welcome to the world of "Just Patriotic Enough" compositions—affectionately dubbed JPEs—a list of compositions   poised to infuse the nation's musical landscape with a nuanced tapestry of pride and creativity throughout this   historic birthday year.

 In the 18th century, public spaces resonated with   fiddlers and fifers performing iconic pieces like "The   White Cockade," shaping America's musical   landscape. As the nation embraced independence,   this tradition nurtured diverse forms, styles,   rhythms, and homegrown composers, propelling   American symphonic arts onto the global stage.

  These JPEs, ideal for the first half of concert   programs, introduce a patriotic flavor while allowing   for continued local orchestral artistic vision. This   strategic blend of tradition and innovation promises   a dynamic musical experience. Presenting a   captivating assortment of JPEs throughout 2026   elevates concert repertoire while celebrating 250 years of American musical heritage. And above all, it’s simply good music.

Photo Description: Major Brian Dix is conducting a joint performance of the New York Philharmonic and The US Marine Drum & Bugle Corps at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center as part of the Phil’s " Summer Concert Series” in July 2014.

JPE’s for your consideration: (YouTube Musical Companion)

  • American Suite in A Major (Op. 98b.)
    Antonín Dvořák
  • An Outdoor Overture (1938)
    Aaron Copland
  • Bal Masque, Op. 22 (1893)
    Amy Beach
  • Grand Cakewalk (Movement XII) - From "Cakewalk"
    Louis Moreau Gottschalk - Hershy Kay
  • Commando March
    Samuel Barber
  • Charles Ives Suite (Recommended Individual Works)
    1. "March 2 with the Air Son of a Gambolier"
    2. "The Alcotts"
     from "Concord Sonata"
    3. "Country Band March"
    Charles Ives
  • Dances in the Canebrakes
    Florence Price
  • Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra (Catch me if you can)
    John Williams
  • Escaramunza
    Gabriela Lena Frank
  • Espirit de Corps
    Robert Jager
  • Go Big or Go Home
    Jessica Meyer
  • Grand Tarantella Op. 67 (for piano and orchestra)
    Louis Moreau Gottschalk
  • Kentucky Spring
    Roy Harris
  • Latin-American Symphonette (Symphonette No. 4)
    Morton Gould
  • Mississippi Suite
    Ferde Grofe
  • Montgomery Variations
    Margaret Bonds
  • New England Triptych
    William Schuman
  • Percy Grainger Suite (Recommended individual works)
    1. Shepherd's Hey
    2. Colonial Song
    3. Country Gardens
    4. Molly on the Shore 
    (Molly can also stand on its own)
    Percy Grainger
  • Prairie Journal
    Aaron Copland
  • Short Ride in a Fast Machine
    John Adams
  • Swing Symphony (3. Sinfonie)
    Movement II - "All American Pep"
    Wynton Marsalis
  • Symphonic Sketches
    George Whitefield Chadwick
  • Symphony No. 3 "The Sunday Symphony"
    Movement I - The Awakening
    William Grant Still
  • Overture & Circus Galop
    from "The Irish Dragoon"
    John Philip Sousa
  • The Chairman Dances (Foxtrot for Orchestra)
    John Adams
  • Three Quotations, Suite for Orchestra
    John Philip Sousa
  • Treemonisha (No. 1 Overture - 1911)
    Scott Joplin
  • Victory at Sea (Symphonic Scenario)
    Richard Rodgers arr. by Robert Russell Bennet


And three biggie JPE's to conclude a concert's second half:

  • An American Te Deum for Chorus and Orchestra (1978)
    Karl Husa
  • Credo
    Margaret Bonds
  • Symphony No. 1 in A flat major "Afro-American"
    William Grant Still

 

 About the Author: Major Brian Dix, ret., United States Marine Corps, distinguished himself with over 30   years of service as a conductor and composer. As Director Laureate of the esteemed U.S. Marine Drum &   Bugle Corps, “The Commandant’s Own,” he expanded its repertoire with over 175 original compositions   honoring American heroes. His musical journey, witnessed by millions globally, included performances at iconic venues such as Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Nippon Budokan, Edinburgh Castle, Drum Corps International and national television broadcasts. Major Dix’s compositions, including the recent "Madam (Vice) President," received critical acclaim and were performed worldwide, earning him accolades such as the American Prize for orchestra composition. His collaboration with symphony orchestras has brought his musical experience full circle to include conducting joint concerts featuring his compositions. Beyond his professional career, Brian promotes the musical arts in public schools as an adjudicator for bands, orchestras and marching programs and as well promotes unlimited support for Veterans Service Organizations. Major Brian Dix currently resides in the historic South Park neighborhood of San Diego with his husband, Mr. Paul Andrews.

About ACSO's Guest Blog Series: Our community is full of incredible people with a wealth of life experiences, talents, and diverse perspectives and backgrounds. We want to share their insights, points of view, and wisdom with all of you, as well as raise the voices of individuals who are making a difference for the orchestra field. Our guest blog series features people from different communities throughout California and the western US, from different sizes and types of music organizations, and with different jobs and responsibilities. They share what they have learned, express their thoughts about the sector, and ask challenging questions that will help us shift our thinking and be better advocates for this art form that we all love. If you want to be a guest blog author, email us at [email protected].

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