Summer is here: Oak Ridge Community Band's free patriotic concert is Monday

Barbara Gritzner
·2 min read

Summer is here.

The Oak Ridge Community Band will present its free Memorial Day concert at 7 p.m. Monday, May 27, in A.K. Bissell Park. Family and friends can end the three-day holiday weekend with patriotic music and show their appreciation to the men and women who have served in the military to maintain our freedom.

Not only is Memorial Day an opportunity to salute our veterans and military personnel, but it is often considered the "unofficial" beginning of the summer and will be the first concert of the Community Band outdoor series. Three other outdoor performances are planned for July 4, Sept. 1, and Oct. 27.

Among the numbers Community Band director Shaun Salem has selected for Memorial Day are “The Star Spangled Banner, “ Sousa’s “Washington Post March,” “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” and “Armed Forces Salute” featuring the theme songs of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy. Veterans in the audience will be asked to stand during the song representing their branch of service.

The Oak Ridge Community Band plays the national anthem at the 2019 Memorial Day Concert.
The Oak Ridge Community Band plays the national anthem at the 2019 Memorial Day Concert.

Other songs on Monday’s program are “Highlights from 'South Pacific,’” “Band of Brothers” featuring tenor vocalist Brian Ensign, and “Benny Goodman: The King of Swing” featuring clarinet soloist Kristi Younkin.

Bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating around the Performing Arts Pavilion in the park. There is a paved area for wheelchairs. Refreshments will be provided by Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab.

Band members will soon begin rehearsing for the very popular Independence Day concert on July 4 followed by the City Fireworks Show. The Community Band has members of all ages, and any area musician, especially high school and college students home for the summer, can join the band. Call 865-202-2773 for more information. Visit the band’s website at www.orcb.org and www.facebook.com/OakRidgeCommunityBand.

Barbara Gritzner is the publicist for the Oak Ridge Community Band.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As reported in The Oak Ridger Friday, the first official day of summer astronomically for 2024 isThursday, June 20, which is when the Northern Hemisphere has the longest day of the year, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. But meteorologically, summer starts on June 1.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Summer is here: Oak Ridge Community Band's free concert is Monday