The TU Symphony Orchestra and esteemed guests, Towson University President Mark Ginsberg and Provost Melanie Perreault, proudly present an extraordinary interdisciplinary event celebrating the American experience through music, art, dance, theatre, film, and visual storytelling. Featuring two powerful compositions—Peter Boyer’s Ellis Island: The Dream of America and Wordsmith’s Made in America—this performance brings together students and faculty from across the arts in a vibrant collaboration.

Ellis Island: The Dream of America blends orchestral music with first-person immigrant narratives, honoring the hopes and hardships of those who migrated in pursuit of a better life. Wordsmith’s Made in America, created by the artistic partner of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, explores contemporary themes of identity, resilience, and unity.

This unique CoLab event highlights talent and expertise across COFAC. Dean Regina Carlow, Associate Dean Greg Faller, as well as Profs. Tosin Adebayo and Lingling Zhang, join President Ginsberg and Provost Perreault as narrators for Ellis Island, lending their voices to the historical stories that shaped our nation. The momentous performance includes costume design by Dean Emeritus Susan Picinich, dance choreographed by Prof. Vincent Thomas, and Prof. Nancy Siegel’s curation of artwork by Jacob Lawrence. The TU Orchestra, conducted by Professor Joseph Gotoff, will be joined onstage by Wordsmith performing his own work.