Join the First 50 State Rhapsody Project

As orchestras return from summer hiatus, an exciting collaborative effort will establish the first, unprecedented National project joining all 50 United States in celebration of the past, present and future. In an ongoing mission bringing new works to the repertoire through innovative commissioning projects, pianist Jeffrey Biegel has created the first 50 state project without commissioning buy-in fees to support Peter Boyer's Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue for piano and orchestra. The intent for this project is to bring our country together in harmony to premiere the new Rhapsody as a tip-of-the-hat to the centennial of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. This can be symbolic, or performed as a pair during an exclusive two season period listing all 50 states and the orchestras representing this unique endeavor. As there are no share fees required, there can be more than one orchestra per state. The first performances can take place starting with summer 2023 through the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. [Should scheduling need to shift performances into the 2025-26 season, this will be addressed accordingly.]

Conductors and orchestras are now inquiring about partner works with the new Rhapsody. Mr. Biegel has created the following list of works and recordings to consider for performances: