Reno Phil to premiere commissioned work honoring America's 250th anniversary April 17-19

Reno Phil to Premiere Commissioned Work Honoring America’s 250^th Anniversary April 17-19
- Composed by Michelle Isaac, the piece honors Mary Katherine Goddard, the only woman whose name appears on the Declaration of Independence. -

RENO, Nev. (April 7, 2026) ––The Reno Phil will present the world premiere of a newly commissioned orchestral work honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence during its Classix Series final concert, April 17 through 19, at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. Composed by Chicago-based composer Michelle Isaac, “Pressing Truths” explores the life and legacy of Mary Katharine Goddard, the only woman whose name appears on the Declaration of Independence. 

The premiere of the commemorative piece will be flanked by such notable program inclusions as Leonard Bernstein’s “On the Waterfront: Symphonic Suite” and Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” a large-scale choral work featuring the Reno Phil Chorus and guest soloists. 

Composer and orchestrator Isaac writes music for orchestra, theater and film and is known for creating works that blend historical themes with storytelling elements. Her music has been performed across the United States by various ensembles and orchestras. Isaac spent ample time in Washington D.C. researching the works and contributions of Mary Katherine Goddard in order to accurately reflect her role in American history as a print publisher, entrepreneur and pivotal driver of American history. 

“We devoted considerable thought into what a piece timed with America’s 250^th might highlight in a meaningful way to today’s audiences,”  said Aaron Doty, president and CEO of the Reno Philharmonic. “Ms. Goddard’s tenacity in the publishing world at a time when it was unusual for a woman to hold such influence reflects the courage it takes to pursue a vision despite societal limits. The Reno Philharmonic recognized we have an opportunity to bring renewed attention to her story and, in a sense, return a voice to a remarkable historical figure whose contributions have too often gone untold.”  

“Pressing Truths” will feature prominently within the weekend’s programming and joins a collection of pieces commissioned by the Reno Phil that have gone on to make marked distinctions in the world of classical and contemporary music. These pieces include “Symphony No. 3: Altered Landscape,” a work designed to draw attention to themes of sustainability and finite resources composed by Jimmy Lopez Bellido in conjunction with the exhibition “Altered Landscape, Carol Franc Buck Collection” at the Nevada Museum of Art’s 2020 exhibition. Also included in the list is “The Sacrifice of Prometheus,” one of the only pieces at this time to feature biodata from plants integrated into a work for a solo bass oboe paired with full orchestra and composed by Marko Bajzer, who drew inspiration from his time as artist-in-residence at Great Basin National Park. Another commission that drew national involvement is “Transcend,” by Grammy-nominated composer Zhou Tian, performed in partnership with orchestras and institutions across the country to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad and to honor the workers who made it possible.

Performances take place April 17 through 19 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are on sale now at www.renophil.com or by calling the Reno Phil Box Office at (775) 323-6393. 

To learn more about the Reno Philharmonic, visit www.renophil.com. For media inquiries, contact Rachel Gattuso, APR at rachel@gattusocoalition.com or (775) 336-9453.

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About the Reno Philharmonic:
In its 57^th season, the Reno Phil is deeply committed to uniting its community through performance, education, and engagement programs, reaching an audience of more than 50,000 annually. Since its beginnings in 1969, the Reno Phil has been an essential thread in the city’s cultural fabric and the very foundation of Reno’s performing arts. As a resident company of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, the orchestra, led by Music Director Laura Jackson, performs a full season of concerts featuring internationally acclaimed guest artists and works by legendary and living composers. The Reno Phil keeps exceptional musical experiences at the heart of its community.