The premiere of A Song of Celebration was performed on January 7, 1989 by The North Carolina Symphony under the direction of Jackson Parkhurst. As winner of the annual Composers of the Carolinas competition, sponsored by the South Carolina Philharminic Orchestra, A Song of Celebration was performed by the South Carolina Philharmonic, under the direction of Einar Anderson, on December 15, 1990. A second perfomance by the North Carolina Symphony in January 1991 was recorded and broadcast on North Carolina Public Television. A Song of Celebration was also performed at the 25th anniversary concert of the Salisbury (NC) Symphony Orchestra, David Hagy, conductor.