ASHLAND — The Ashland Symphony Orchestra will present its annual “Pops in the Park”, Sunday, July 3, at 8 p.m. at the Myers Memorial Band Shell. New Music Director and Conductor Michael Repper will be on the podium.
Patriotic favorites will include the “Star Spangled Banner,” “Armed Forces Salute,” “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America,” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Repper has programmed pieces that acknowledge America’s musical history: “American Frontier” a medley of tunes arranged by Calvin Custer, “Shenandoah” arranged by Jack Bullock, a trio of marches by John Philip Sousa, and a nod to Broadway with a medley of songs from “Guys and Dolls.”
“I couldn’t be happier to be making my debut as Music Director of the incredible Ashland Symphony Orchestra at this year’s Pops in the Park concert!” Repper said. “One of my passions is American music, and so I am thrilled to join this great community in celebrating our country’s independence with all of you. We’re going to have great fun and play wonderful music.
“I hope you’ll join us!”
Civil War Battery D from the 1st Ohio Light Artillery will provide cannon fire accompaniment to “1812 Overture.” Audience members are invited to pop paper bag cannons and light sparklers during the performance.
“Pops in the Park is the perfect concert for introducing Michael Repper to our audience,” said Martha Buckner, ASO Executive Director. “I know the large and enthusiastic crowd will show Michael why Ashland is known as the “World Headquarters of Nice People!”
Donations will be collected during the performance that will benefit both the Ashland Symphony Orchestra and Ashland City Parks and Recreation.
“It is because of the generosity of the Ashland Community that we are celebrating 52 years of the ASO and 73 years of the Brookside Summer Concert Series,” Buckner said.
Thank you to our season sponsor, Samaritan Hospital Foundation; along with our other sponsors, The Hugo Young Foundation, Trinity Lutheran Church – Rybolt Fund, Ashland University, Bill Harris Auto, and Jane Roland. Additional support provided in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC).
The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to Ashland High School’s Archer Auditorium. Call 419-281-3018, extension 3 for rain location updates.
For more about the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, call 419-289-5115 or visit www.ashlandsymphony.org.
