Guggenheim Fellow Nkeiru Okoye's New Commission Evident Truths to Tour with the U.S. Army Field Band in Celebration of America 250

UNITED STATES — June 28, 2026

The U.S. Army Field Band has commissioned and will premiere Evident Truths, a new large-scale work by Guggenheim Fellow, American Prize-winning composer and librettist Nkeiru Okoye, as part of the ensemble's Northeast America 250 Tour celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The world premiere takes place June 28 in Chautauqua, New York, with the work performed at every stop of the seven-city tour through July 4.

Evident Truths is scored for spoken word artist, vocal trio, and wind ensemble. The work traces the evolution of an allegorical city, Evergold, built by “Architects” whose ideals for the future sometimes conflict with their intentions. The text unfolds in three parts: the building of Evergold and its uneasy promise; a spoken, non-rhymed middle section that steps outside the allegory to reflect on unresolved contradictions in America’s past; and a final section that imagines reckoning, repair, and the possibility of who we can be.

Drawing on early American writings, Colonial-era military drum sources, and West African music — particularly Nigerian traditions — the music brings together rhythms from Baroque practice, hip hop, American military music, and West African drumming to create a groove-based sound world for wind ensemble.

Unlike many commissioned works that receive a single premiere performance, Evident Truths will be performed at every stop of the U.S. Army Field Band's America 250 Northeast Tour.

The tour reaches two nationally significant America 250 events: July 2 at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, as part of the America 250 Salute to Service celebration featuring Queen Latifah and Miss America 2026, and July 4 at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for the America 250 Independence Day Commemoration in one of America's most historically significant locations.

Broadcast Schedule

Date: Thursday, July 2, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT

Television: Live on C-SPAN (National) and NBC10 / TeleXitos (Regional)

Digital Streaming: Free high-definition streams will be available via NBCPhiladelphia.com and the U.S. Army Field Band YouTube Channel.

Tour Dates

June 28 — Chautauqua, NY

June 29 — Williamsport, PA

June 30 — Scranton, PA

July 1 — Holmdel, NJ

July 2 — Philadelphia, PA

July 3 — Bethlehem, PA

July 4 — Gettysburg, PA

Composer will be in attendance at the Philadelphia performance.

“From the start, my goal was to make something that moves — music that carries history, but also dances,” Okoye has said.