Music: Savannah Wind Symphony returns with 'Let Freedom Ring' concert, July 2

When chemist and trombone player Bob Slagel moved to Savannah in 1979, he knew he wanted to be part of a community band or orchestra.  A new job brought him and his family to the Hostess City from Pittsburg where Slagel and his two children had played and studied music. When they found the Savannah Winds, a recently established student and community ensemble on the campus of what was Armstrong State College, the family felt they’d lucked out. Though his children moved on to careers beyond Savannah, Slagel remained and has been performing with the group ever since.

Now, 44 years later with a new name and organized as independent nonprofit, the Savannah Wind Symphony celebrates its first summer performance in three years. The ensemble’s “Patriotic Concert: Let Freedom Ring” takes place July 2 in the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Armstrong campus of Georgia Southern University. The show features some of the nation’s best-loved Fourth of July hits, including “Proud to be an American,” “Taps” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Though the past three years have dealt the group a series of significant challenges, the members have persevered.  COVID-19 delivered a blow when venues and public spaces shut down in 2020. And then, last fall when their beloved leader of 25 years, Mark Johnson, lost a painful battle against cancer, the wind symphony was left without a permanent conductor.

The symphony persisted and organized into a stand-alone nonprofit. Where once it was sponsored by Armstrong Atlantic State University, prior to the school’s consolidation with Georgia Southern University, now the community music organization is its own autonomous entity that can fundraise and carry out more activities for sustainability in the community.

The Savannah Wind Symphony, however, maintains a positive working relationship with Georgia Southern.

“We are still able to use the facilities for rehearsal,” said Slagel, board president of the ensemble. “We also have access to the university’s percussion like tympani and other instruments, and we’re very fortunate to be able to use the school’s extensive music library without cost. That is a tremendous bonus for any community band.”

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An afternoon of patriotic music

The group sees this year’s summer performance as a way to make up for some lost opportunities over the past three years. Typically, within the program, they honor the Chatham County Veteran of the Year. On Sunday, they’ll honor this year’s recipient plus the others from the previous two years.

More highlights include a ranking officer from Ft. Stewart narrating “America the Beautiful” with accompanying honor guard. There’s a patriotic song sing-along, armed forces salute, and Scott Rogers singing “Arlington” in front of a video montage.

An annual crowd favorite is the mystery guest that concert-goers get a chance to cast a vote on ahead of the performance. Whoever guesses correctly wins an opportunity to come on stage and conduct a song at the end.

“In past years Mark Johnson dressed up like Tomochichi, Betsy Rogers, Abe Lincoln, even Mount Rushmore, if you can believe it,” reminisced Slagel. “The audience gets to write down their guess in the lobby before the show, and then at intermission we tally the answers. The winning guesser is given a baton, comes up on stage and leads the symphony as they perform “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

The wind symphony currently has about 60 members ranging in age from early-20s to 90 years old, representing college students, music teachers, band directors, retirees and a handful of professional musicians. All are volunteers. And all have auditioned for their place within the group.

Two members have stepped up to fill the conducting and leadership shoes left by Johnson’s passing: David Elliot, jazz band director at Savannah Country Day School, and Bryan Agan, music director at Savannah Arts Academy. Both currently co-direct.

“It’s been three years since we’ve presented a summer concert, and we really want people to come out and just have fun,” said Slagel. “In the past, people have dressed in costumes in red, white and blue and brought flags with them. It’s a fun, family time that brings a lot of people together, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone there.”

If you go >>

What: “Patriotic Concert: Let Freedom Ring” Savannah Wind Symphony

Where: Fine Arts Auditorium, Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University, 11935 Abercorn St.

When: 3 p.m., Sunday, July 2

Tickets: $35 adults, $25 military & students, $10 18 years and under, available at the door and online at eventbrite.com/e/patriotic-concert-tickets-632394849017

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Wind Symphony returns with 'Let Freedom Ring' concert, July 2