USC School of Music celebrates America’s 250th at Congaree National Park
April 9, 2026
The University of South Carolina School of Music will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a unique, immersive musical experience at Congaree National Park on April 18.
From 10 a.m. to noon, student ensembles will perform simultaneously throughout the park’s old-growth bottomland forest—one of the most distinctive natural landscapes in the United States. Visitors are invited to explore the park’s elevated boardwalks while encountering a dynamic range of live performances, including jazz, woodwinds and choral music.
Set among towering pines and some of the tallest hardwood trees in North America, the event transforms the forest into a living soundscape, blending music with the natural environment. As guests move through the landscape, they will experience shifting layers of sound that reflect both the spirit of independence and the beauty of the region.
This free, public event offers a one-of-a-kind way to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary by connecting history, art and nature.
