Ah, July concerts. Freedom is in the air, and despite the Conroe Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Celebrate America’ Freedom concert being performed on June 28th this year, last Saturday’s performance was one for the memory banks. The First Methodist Church in Conroe is a wonderful setting for a Patriotic concert, with Independence in our thoughts, along with The Flag, Freedom, Hot Dogs, Baseball, and Apple Pie. July 4th is a time when our hair is let down, just for a little bit, and even the orchestra dresses down for the concert, with the relaxing of formality for the event.
The Star Spangled Banner always gets the blood pumping, and it’s obvious that this year ‘America is Back Baby!’ The citizens of Montgomery County had a greater sense of love for one’s country, and the feeling as the audience sang while the CSO played was exceptional. U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Steven Hummer was back as guest master of ceremonies, and as he called for the hands of Veterans of the different American Armed Forces, while asking for the newest branch, he said, “No Space Force Veterans, yet.”
The CSO started with ‘Seventy-Six Trombones,’ from the Music Man musical and film, composed by Meredith Wilson, and arranged by Leroy Anderson. The piece instilled a great pride in the American Spirit with snippets of marches from the great John Phillip Sousa, and powerful elements from the National Emblem March, and of course the trombone lead was wonderfully played. ‘Hoe-Down,’ from the 1942 ballet Rodeo, brought remembrances of the Great American West, and if you can’t quite place it, just remember the music from the ‘Beef, it’s what for dinner,’ commercials from back in the day. It has some playful variations that surprise in differing from the main theme. General Hummer was especially proud to introduce the ‘Semper Fi March,’ composed by John Phillip Sousa, and is a moving piece especially when you understand the sacrifices of the Marine Corps on the field of combat over America’s wars. Sousa’s history is incredible, having enlisted in the Marine Corps at 13 (under a minority enlistment), by his father, a trombonist in USMC Band. The CSO’s performance was flawless, and Conductor Gary Liebst was instrumental in getting the audience involved with flag waving at times.
‘The Magnificent Seven,’ written by Elmer Bernstein, and arranged by Patrick Brink, with its powerful introduction projects American strength and the righteous might and fighting spirit that America holds as the guiding light of The World. And by the reprise of the introduction, it’s apparent that sacrifice, meaningful sacrifice, is not lost in Our Country for its unending goal for World Peace. Guest Vocalist, Hugh Poland, a pastor from Woodridge Baptist Church in Kingwood, sang songs by Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood. Keith’s ‘American Soldier,’ was performed while scenes of soldiers in the field were shown on church screens. It’s a really beautiful song, and to hear its orchestral version was incredible. ‘God Bless the USA,’ by Lee Greenwood, arranged by Merle Issac, really struck home with the audience. Pretty much the anthem for Operation Desert Storm Veterans, it started the movement to Welcoming Home Veterans from the Vietnam War. Its meaning holds a high regard for True Americans. Almost immediately, audience members started standing, waving the provided American flags. Poland and the CSO received a tremendous applause for their efforts.
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Hugh Poland had the audience on their feet with ‘God Bless the USA’ supported by the Conroe Symphony Orchestra |
July 4th Classics such as ‘Stars and Stripes Forever,’ the ‘Armed Forces Medley,’ ‘God Bless America,’ and the final movement from Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture’ finished out the event. Veterans from each of the Armed Services (Coast Guard, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Army) stood when their service song was played. General Hummer reminded the audience as he closed out his remarks that Freedom isn’t Free, and that with Freedom we hold a great responsibility to do the right thing in support of our families, ourselves, and our community. He reminded the crowd of the fragility of Freedom, and like President Ronald Reagan said, that ‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.’ That you Conductor Gary Liebst, Hugh Poland, and the Conroe Symphony Orchestra. God Bless America!!!
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