Independence Day gives us a chance to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy by living in the United States and to recognize the many men and women who have given so much to ensure the continuation of those freedoms. We invite you, your family and friends to join us on Wednesday, July 3rd, the eve of our Nation’s birthday, at Millennium Plaza Park in downtown Lake Oswego for a concert that is designed to kindle your patriotic spirit.
Our theme, as always, for this highly patriotic concert is the United States of America! Our concert celebrates all things American: American music, American entertainment, and America itself. It will be a concert full of American history and we’ll get your evening started with a flourish – An American Flourish by Robert W. Smith.
Patriotic music, marches, broadway music, Americana, big band music – we have a lot in store for you. Travel through time from British colonies through World War I with An American Spectacular arranged by Chris Sharp. Enjoy Edwin Bagley’s most famous march, The National Emblem March. We have A Tribute To Irving Berlin arranged by Warren Barker before heading out with the Pony Express in Across The Great Plains by William Owens. Listen closely for the Pony Express job advertisement our announcer will share with you.
The trombones and baritones are featured in Cool Blues for Trombones by James Ployhar. If that didn’t get you moving, hang on for Fidgety Feet arranged by John Edmondson and Jitterbug! by Robert Buckley. Sun Valley Flourish is an exciting fanfare overture by Steven Reineke. The brass is getting a workout during this concert. Listen for the trombones in the last section of Americans We, a march by Henry Fillmore.
Joining our Musical Director, John Carter, at the podium, our Director Emeritus, Dale Cleland will share popular songs that bolstered morale with Homefront: Musical Memories of WW II arranged by James Christensen. And, don’t forget to stand and/or sing along when the music for your branch of the armed forces is played during the Armed Forces Salute arranged by Bob Lowden.
During our traditional, very patriotic finale you will hear the always popular Salute to the Armed Forces, where we honor present and past members of our military services and others who have served us so well. As we always do, we will conclude our concert by playing the stirring arrangement by Carmen Dragon of America the Beautiful followed by our National March, The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa.
The intent of this program is to whet your Patriotic appetite, to stir within you the pride of being an American and to entertain you in a way that is best accomplished by listening to a fine band in the park on a beautiful summer evening. Click here for a link to the program.
Please join us at Millennium Plaza Park in downtown Lake Oswego on July 3. Concert time is 7:00 pm but come early to hear the Millennium Brass 6:15-to 6:45. Bring your chairs, something to nibble on, and your patriotic spirit. We promise a thoroughly entertaining evening!
Dr. John Carter, Musical Director
Lake Oswego Millennium Concert Band