Route 66 Project for 27/28
Route 66 is the stuff of lore and road trips. It has defined the American experience and continues to enchant both domestically and abroad. Beginning with the 2027/28 season, orchestras can now share this iconic roadway and its mosaic of townscapes, landscapes, and lifeways in their concert halls. Mother Road was photographed and produced by our artist Nicholas Bardonnay during the route’s 100th anniversary year in 2026.
Over its storied past, Route 66 has transported Okies seeking a better life out west (think Grapes of Wrath) as well as vacation-goers untold. Connecting Chicago to Los Angeles over 2,448 miles, Route 66 traverses geographies and countless hidden gems through 8 states. Along route, there are ghost towns and cities of millions; lush forests and scorched deserts, folksy tunes and soulful melodies. And there are stories: countless people living in America’s forgotten places, in America’s most recognizable hubs, and those just passing through.
The musical accompaniment for Mother Road is a special six-movement suite arranged by Grammy Winner Jeff Tyzik. The synonymously titled Mother Road Suite will breathe the heart and soul into the choreographed visuals with a musical journey of unabashedly toe-tapping blues and jazz melodies that Tyzik has crafted for symphonic splendor. Adding to the charisma of the performance is the inclusion of a saxophone role that audiences are going to love. Movements like Swing, Swing, Swing; Backwater Blues; and A City Called Heaven not only hearken back to the golden age of Route 66, but are also unlike what most audiences have experienced in today’s concert halls, while still being accessible for orchestras to perform.
Now with this perfect combination of cherished nostalgia, broad modern appeal, and symphonic joy for the road ahead, what would orchestras program to dovetail all this? From our repertoire three pieces would work great alongside Mother Road: National Park Suite, Grand Canyon Country or Rodeo!. We can’t wait to take the road less traveled with audiences in 2027/28!
