Westminster College to Celebrate Independence Day with Concerts and Fireworks July 2-3
Posted on Monday, June 15, 2009
Westminster College will host an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration with a free concert Thursday, July 2, and a free concert and fireworks Friday, July 3. Both events will be at 7:30 p.m. at Brittain Lake.
Gene DeCaprio, director of Westminster's Celebrity Series and master of ceremonies for the concerts, said, "This represents the largest and most prestigious musical celebration of Independence Day in the histories of Lawrence and Mercer counties."
Thursday's concert will feature the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus in Anderson Amphitheater next to the lake. Seats will be set up in the amphitheater and guests may bring their own chairs for lawn seating.
The Field Band, known as the "Musical Ambassadors of the Army," travels thousands of miles each year to present a variety of music to appreciative audiences in the U.S. and overseas. Members of the group are selected through highly competitive audition, representing some of the finest musical talent in America.
Dr. R. Tad Greig, Westminster assistant professor of music and director of bands, will conduct the Field Band for "American Salute," Morton Gould's classic American tribute based on "When Johnny Comes Marching Home."
The Soldiers' Chorus, a 29-member mixed choral ensemble, is the vocal complement of the Field Band. Their music covers a variety of opera, Broadway, barbershop, and Americana styles.
This year marks the 20th annual July 3 concert featuring the River City Brass Band playing a variety of patriotic, religious, folk, and popular Broadway and Hollywood selections. Attendance in recent years has reached 10,000, so early arrival is suggested for this family-oriented event. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating, as well as picnic baskets and refreshments. Food vendors will be on site.
The Eintracht Maennerchor Singing Society will be on hand for the National Anthem and the Battery D 229th Field Artillery of the Pennsylvania National Guard will supply howitzer fire during the 1812 Overture. New Wilmington resident Kathy Bressler-Mansell, choir director at Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church in New Castle, will join the band for "God Bless America." The evening will be capped by a fantastic fireworks display provided by Pyrotecnico.
In case of rain, both concerts will be held in the amphitheater.
Contact DeCaprio at (724) 946-7371 or e-mail decapre@westminster.edu for more information.
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