'Talk about variety': JSO's Police concert brings a crowd to 1st Summit Arena

Joshua Byers, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Michael Yuhas’ family listened to a lot of songs by The Police before they went to the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra’s concert featuring the British rock band’s music Saturday.

Yuhas’ son Christopher, 7, said he was looking forward to hearing the hit tune “Message in a Bottle.”

Luckily for him, that was the song that opened the JSO’s season finale, “The Music of The Police,” which brought a crowd of more than 1,500 people to 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial in downtown Johnstown.

The symphony was accompanied by rock band Jeans ’n Classics, which previously collaborated with the JSO at a 2019 concert featuring the music of Queen at JWF Industries.

Michael Yuhas said he and his wife enjoy bringing their children to the symphony, especially because of the family-friendly atmosphere.

“The kids really enjoy music,” he said. “They really enjoy live music, so this seemed like a good opportunity.”

Stephanie Yuhas, his wife, added that the combination of the symphony’s classical instruments and The Police’s rock songs “sounded like a really great show.”

The combination of two very different styles of music brought people to the show such as Kerry Wingard, of Sidman, who attended his first JSO concert with his mother, June, and sister, Dana Himes. He said he was excited to see the performance, especially because it was his birthday.

“I’m sure the music is going to be pretty good,” Wingard said.

His mother said she’s enjoyed past JSO concerts, while Himes said she is a fan and appreciates Music Director James Blachly’s expansive approach.

“This is going to be an interesting concert,” John Rogers said before the show. “Talk about variety.”

Rogers attended to support his wife, Annis, who has played violin for the JSO for the past 50 years. He said he heard her practicing the music for Saturday’s show and expected it to be good.

The show was also a special moment for the symphony because it was the largest indoor concert in its history, Blachly said.

“Tonight, we are making history together,” he said.

Ian Jutsun and Kathryn Rose, of Jeans ’n Classics, provided vocals for the songs, which Blachly said were “cherry- picked” from The Police and lead singer Sting’s musical catalogue. Among them were hits “Walking On the Moon,” which included crowd participation; “De Doo Doo Doo, De Da Da Da”; and “Every Breath You Take.”