American Symphony Orchestra: New York Profiles
In what has become a cherished tradition, the American Symphony Orchestra is pleased to debut its 2025-26 season at Bryant Park with New York Profiles, a concert showcasing five American composers whose works reflect the diverse musical styles of mid 20th century America. Each of these composers had strong ties to New York, a city that was central to their creative lives.
Aaron Copland, a defining voice of American music, made New York his home while composing Appalachian Spring, an homage to American pioneer life. Henry Cowell shaped New York’s early experimental music scene, as heard in his Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 10. Julia Perry was closely connected to New York’s musical institutions such as Lincoln Center, where her A Short Piece for Small Orchestra was performed and recorded. Ulysses Kay, whose Joy and Fears is drawn from his soundtrack to The Quiet One, was also a key figure in New York’s cultural world, while Norman Dello Joio’s New York Profiles is a vivid musical portrait of the city, composed as a tribute to his native New York.
These composers, living and working in New York during the 1940s and ’50s, contributed to what is known as the Golden Age of American classical music. New York Profiles celebrates their lasting influence on both the city and American music.
The American Symphony Orchestra (ASO) was founded in 1962 by Leopold Stokowski, with a mission of making orchestral music accessible and affordable for everyone. Music Director Leon Botstein expanded that mission when he joined the ASO in 1992, creating thematic concerts that explore music from the perspective of the visual arts, literature, religion, and history, and reviving rarely-performed works that audiences would otherwise never have a chance to hear performed live.
Bryant Park lends out hundreds of free blankets on a first-come, first-served basis, or bring your own cotton or fleece blanket. To protect the lawn, please do not sit on waterproof materials such as plastic tarps, yoga mats, or inflatable chairs.
Take a seat in one of the pre-set chairs on the lawn or grab a chair from the gravel. You can use a chair anywhere in the park except for the center lawn "blanket zone".
Bring your own picnic or purchase food and drinks from tents on the east side of the lawn. Attendees can enjoy cuisine from the five boroughs with a rotating line-up of artisanal vendors curated by Hester Street Fair.
Stout NYC also offers giant pretzels, gourmet popcorn and other light bites as well as a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.
Visit the Bryant Park Shop tent for exclusive Picnic Performances merchandise and more!
Find a parachute, hula hoops, and more fun on the east side of the lawn at select events.
Dogs are welcome on the gravel and bluestone, but not on the lawn.
Performances are cancelled when it is unsafe to be outdoors. In some cases, the lawn may be too wet to open but the performance may continue. Follow @bryantparknyc on Twitter and Instagram for day-of event updates. You can also check the lawn status on the bryantpark.org homepage.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America is a free outdoor festival that welcomes all New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. The series provides a platform for extraordinary artists and serves as a vital outdoor venue for a wide array of New York’s cultural institutions.
