FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra Presents “American Enginuity” February 21, 2026 at the Garde Arts Center

NEW LONDON, CT – The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra (ECSO) will present “American Enginuity,” a concert celebrating innovation on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 7:30 PM at the Garde Arts Center in New London.

The evening’s centerpiece is Anthony DiLorenzo’s trumpet concerto American Enginuity featuring ECSO Principal Trumpet Phil Snedecor. Composed specifically with Snedecor in mind and premiered by him with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra in 2019, the concerto pays tribute to four of America’s greatest achievements: the transcontinental railroad, the Wright Brothers’ historic flight, Henry Ford’s Model T, and the Apollo 11 moon landing. This performance marks a special homecoming for a work created for one of the ECSO’s own.

The concert opens with the iconic main theme from Elmer Bernstein’s score for the 1960 film The Magnificent Seven, a melody familiar to generations of Americans. Also featured on the program is American Rhapsody for violin and orchestra by Kenneth Fuchs, professor of composition at the University of Connecticut, written in 2008. The work will showcase the talents of ECSO Concertmaster Stephen Tieszen.The program continues with Antonín Dvořák’s American Suite, composed in 1894-95 during the Czech composer’s influential American period. Rounding out the evening is Carmen Dragon’s arrangement of “Shenandoah,” the beloved Missouri River folk song that has become an enduring part of the American musical landscape.

Featured Artist: Phil Snedecor, ECSO Principal Trumpet

Former Baltimore Symphony Orchestra member Phil Snedecor has been a driving presence in the Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC area for over 25 years. He is the co-founder and Artistic Director of the Washington Symphonic Brass, the Contractor for the Opera/Show/Ballet Orchestra at Wolf Trap, and has written a series of brass etude books that are required repertoire at many colleges and conservatories. His arrangements and compositions have been performed throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia.Phil attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and has held one year positions with the National Symphony, the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, and the Baltimore Opera. Mr. Snedecor has performed and toured throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Recently Mr. Snedecor has been in demand as a guest principal with the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra and the Louisville Orchestra, and as guest trumpeter for the Albany Symphony, Boston Pops, and Boston Symphony. He has recorded under the RCA, CBS, Gothic, Koss, and Summit labels. Phil’s solo CDs, The Lyrical Trumpet I and II are also available on the Summit Label. Phil is currently Professor of Trumpet at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford.

Featured Artist: Stephan Tieszen, ECSO Concertmaster

Stephan Tieszen has been concertmaster of the ECSO since 1988. He has degrees from Mannes College of Music, the Juilliard School, and Yale School of Music. His teachers included 2 of the greatest concertmasters of the 20th century, Mischa Mischakoff and Sidney Harth, and Sally Thomas, the heir to Ivan Galamian and the leading proponent of the Franco-Belgian school. Dr. Tieszen also plays period instruments and studied Baroque violin with Jaap Schroeder and the manuscripts of Mozart with Gabriel Banat. He frequently performs the Mozart concerti and writes his own cadenzas in classical style.

He is also the Concertmaster of Opera Theater Connecticut, the New Britain Symphony, and principal second violin and alternate Concertmaster of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Tieszen is an avid chamber musician and performs regularly throughout Connecticut with ensembles from the ECSO, NHSO, and NBSO.

He has taught at the University of Connecticut, Connecticut College, Fairfield University, the Suzuki Music Schools of Westport and Orange, and Mannes Prep.

Event Details:

• What: Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra: “American Enginuity”
• When: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 7:30 PM
• Where: Garde Arts Center, 325 State Street, New London, CT
• Tickets: $32 to $84 plus fees

About the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra 

The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra’s mission is to inspire, educate, and connect communities through live orchestral music. Under Toshiyuki Shimada’s distinguished leadership, the ECSO has become a cornerstone of the region’s cultural landscape, presenting world-class performances that bring together exceptional musicians and devoted audiences.

Contact

For season tickets and complete program information, visit ectsymphony.com or call (860) 443-2876.

For single tickets go to gardearts.org.

Media Contact:
Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra
Phone: (860) 443-2876
Website: ectsymphony.com
Email: [email protected]