Central Ohio symphonies to offer patriotic concerts in honor of July 4. Here's how to go
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Greater Columbus classical musicians will be hitting plenty of patriotic notes this Independence Day.
In the run-up to the Fourth of July, a number of local orchestras will be offering outdoor concerts featuring traditional tunes, little-heard selections and more than a few musical surprises.
Below we offer a highlight of patriotic performances sure to please the ear amid the celebration of the nation’s independence.
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Columbus Symphony
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons, East Rich and South High streets
Admission: General lawn admission — $35, or $10 for age 12 and younger, free for age 2 and younger; tables — $300 to $850.48
In a twist on its usual “Patriotic Pops” program, the Columbus Symphony will present “Patriotic Pops and Soul.” Performing with the symphony on a number of soul classics will be guest vocalist Tamika Lawrence, also featured in a symphony tribute to Aretha Franklin in January.
“We had such a good time with the Aretha Franklin show that we immediately engaged Tamika Lawrence (for ‘Patriotic Pops’),” said Principal Pops conductor Stuart Chafetz. “Tamika graciously agreed.”
Also returning will be the Columbus-based Worship and Praise Chorale, which also performed as part of the Franklin tribute.
“We came up with a program that is truly an American salute — being that soul and R&B and Motown and Aretha Franklin’s music . . . is such an important part of the American soundscape," Chafetz said.
Among the songs to be performed by Lawrence with symphony backing are “Baby I Love You,” a song widely associated with Franklin; and “Proud Mary,” one of the signature hits of Tina Turner, who died in May.
The choir will join Lawrence for the Franklin songs “Think” and “Respect,” as well as more typical patriotic concert fare including “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.”
“We’re going to have some true American standard, traditional songs that she’s going to be singing and leading,” Chafetz said. “Of course, the audience is always more than encouraged to sing along.”
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Other highlights include an armed forces salute and, in a bit of an unexpected note, music from the cartoon films featuring Tom and Jerry.
“That music is always so intense and so funny and well-written, so I’m going to highlight that,” Chafetz said. “I can’t think of anything more American than cartoons on Saturday mornings with our cereal and our Eggo waffles.”
Fireworks will follow the music.
Westerville Symphony
When: 6:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Alum Creek Park Amphitheater, 221 W. Main St., Westerville
Admission: Free
Eighty years ago, amid World War II, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra conductor Eugene Goossens called upon leading composers to pen patriotic fanfares.
One such fanfare — Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” — became world-famous, and for its patriotic concert this year, the Westerville Symphony will perform the piece and several others in the series Goossens initiated.
“Back in 1943, it was a pretty dark time for our country because we were embroiled in World War II,” said music director Peter Stafford Wilson, who will conduct the concert. “(Goossens) wanted to do what he could to lift spirits, so he commissioned a bunch of composers. Each classical concert started with one of these fanfares.”
The Westerville Symphony will perform a selection of the fanfares. In addition to “Fanfare for the Common Man,” the symphony will perform Morton Gould’s “A Fanfare for Freedom” and Walter Pistons’ “A Fanfare for the Fighting French,” among others.
Another anniversary will be honored by the symphony.
“This is also the 80th anniversary of the premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Oklahoma!’” Wilson said. “We’re doing selections from ‘Oklahoma!’”
The symphony will also be performing an arrangement of the Shaker tune “Simple Gifts” by Noah Taylor, an alumnus of the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra.
“He was a kid who came through the Youth Orchestra program,” said Wilson, previously the leader of the Youth Orchestra. “He is now one of the arrangers at the West Point Band. . . . I’m excited to be a vehicle for his arrangements.”
Other tunes to be performed will include John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare,” Mark Hayman’s “Pops Hoedown” and, of course, John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
“There will be a lot of nostalgia, a lot of Americana,” Wilson said.
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Central Ohio Symphony
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Phillips Glen, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware
Admission: General lawn admission — free; chair seating — $10
Aaron Copland (1900-90) and John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) are among the composers whose works are most commonly programmed for Independence Day.
One American composer from our own age has joined their august ranks.
“What would July 4 be without John Williams?” said Warren Hyer, the executive director of the Central Ohio Symphony.
Under the baton of conductor Jaime Morales Matos, the symphony will perform music from the first Indiana Jones adventure, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” the score to which was written by Academy Award-winner Williams, who turned 91 this year.
“We’ve never done (the piece) before,” Hyer said.
Traditionalists need not worry: Copland will be represented by “Fanfare for the Common Man” and Sousa by “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Meanwhile, Dvorak’s “Slavonic Dance No. 8” and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” will also be played.
“We always try to do a little bit of what I would call classic music,” Hyer said.
The symphony will also be joined by the Hayes Singers from Delaware Hayes High School.
“This is their top-notch chamber choir,” Hyer said.
The singers will sing tunes from “Man of La Mancha,” “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and more.
The evening will conclude with fireworks.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Which Central Ohio symphonies are playing concerts in honor of July 4?
