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On March 8, 2026, the Miami Symphony Orchestra returns to the Knight Concert Hall with American Promise, a program that reflects on the ideals that have shaped the American journey — freedom, unity, aspiration, and the courage to imagine a shared future.
Under the baton of Eduardo Marturet, the concert marks a significant cultural moment as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, bringing together contemporary voices and a timeless symphonic masterpiece in a single, compelling narrative.
The evening opens with Karen LeFrak’s American Promise, commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The work will receive its World Premiere by the Miami Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Marturet, and will be narrated by Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins. Karen LeFrak is an American, New York–based composer whose work often reflects themes of national identity, heritage, and civic consciousness. American Promise was commissioned as part of the broader American Promise initiative, conceived to artistically honor the ideals and historical significance surrounding the United States’ 250th anniversary. The composition sets the emotional and philosophical tone of the program, inviting audiences to listen deeply to the values that continue to define the nation’s identity.
That reflection expands through the second world premiere of the night: An American in Miami by composer Marcos Campos Salas, a 2026 Miami Symphony Orchestra commission. Rooted in the city’s multicultural pulse, the piece captures Miami as a living crossroads — where traditions, cultures, and personal stories converge to create a uniquely American sound shaped by migration, rhythm, humor, and reinvention. The work is also part of the official celebration of Emilio Estefan Day, commemorated on March 8, honoring the cultural legacy and global impact of Emilio Estefan, who serves as Chairman of the Board of the Miami Symphony Orchestra. Emilio Estefan will be present during the evening’s celebration, joining audiences in a tribute to his extraordinary contributions to music, culture, and the international identity of Miami. Adding a contemporary voice to the narrative, DJ Khaled lends his signature energy as the evening’s Voice Over, connecting the spirit of the city with the musical journey presented on stage.
Maestro Eduardo Marturet’s own composition, Unity and Glory — the official Concacaf Anthem, specially commissioned by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football — brings a powerful contemporary and ceremonial dimension to the program. Conceived as a new musical identity for Concacaf during a period of regional growth and global visibility leading toward the FIFA World Cup, the anthem reflects the unity, ambition, and pride shared across its 41 Member Associations. Developed through a collaboration between two organizations rooted in the City of Miami, the work embodies the idea that music and sport can transcend borders and unite diverse communities through shared emotion and collective purpose. Inspired by the ceremonial spirit of international competition and the cultural richness of the region, Unity and Glory bridges symphonic artistry with the global language of football, reinforcing values of teamwork, aspiration, and solidarity. Adding to the significance of this moment, the official Concacaf Cup will be present at the concert, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience up close a symbol of continental achievement and celebration.
“The creation of Unity and Glory was inspired by the idea that music, like football, transcends borders and speaks directly to the collective spirit of people,” said Maestro Eduardo Marturet. “My goal was to compose something ceremonial yet emotionally uplifting — a piece that reflects pride, aspiration, and the diversity that defines our region. The collaboration between Concacaf and the Miami Symphony Orchestra is a celebration of Miami as a cultural bridge, where global ideas come together through artistry.”
The concert culminates with Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, one of the most iconic works ever written about the American experience. Composed by an immigrant inspired by the sounds, landscapes, and spirit of his adopted home, the symphony remains a powerful testament to America as a place of transformation, longing, and hope.
American Promise is more than a concert — it is a moment of reflection and affirmation. Through music that spans centuries and perspectives, the Miami Symphony Orchestra and its Music Director Maestro Eduardo Marturet invite audiences to consider what it means to belong, to listen, and to move forward together, with a New Sound, a New Promise, and a New Era.
PROGRAM:
Karen LeFrak
American Promise (World Premiere)
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
Marcos Campos Salas
An American in Miami (World Premiere) a 2026 MISO Commission
“Celebrating Emilio Estefan Day”
Eduardo Marturet
Unity & Glory “Concacaf Anthem” (World Premiere)
Specially commissioned by the Confederation of North, Central America
and Caribbean Association Football
Antonín Dvorak
Symphony N°9
EDUARDO MARTURET – CONDUCTOR
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