RPO celebrates Independence Day with fanfare and fireworks

Rochester, NY on the 4th of July
Image from cityofrochester.gov

The Stars and Stripes Forever. America the Beautiful. The Star-Spangled Banner. There is something sacred about the anthems of our forefathers, musical compositions that still resonate in our hearts at every sporting event, graduation, parade and military homecoming.

The RPO is back to celebrate Independence Day with two concerts that pay homage to the American classics and patriotic marches we all know and love.

Tonight, the RPO makes a stop at 8 p.m. in Canandaigua for Salute to America at Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC). Under the baton of guest conductor Michael Berkowitz, the RPO will perform a variety of patriotic anthems, including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever, followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

“As in other communities across this nation, the tradition of celebrating our freedom is celebrated with fanfare,” said Kathy Kemp, Assistant Principal Cello of the RPO. “Singing and hearing the music by our own composers and the music that celebrates our history is so important for young and old.”

Tomorrow, the RPO returns to the Main Street Bridge in downtown Rochester for the sixth annual Independence Day concert, once again led by conductor Michael Berkowitz, at 9 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Rochester, this free outdoor concert will be followed by fireworks at 10 p.m.

“I think the presence of the Orchestra at the July 4th festivities stands for the pride of great culture that this city embraces,” said Kemp. “It also reminds everyone what a rich environment we live in and are fortunate bring our families up in.”

Other July concerts to have on your radar:

• On Wednesday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m., the RPO returns to the shores of Ontario Beach Park for a free pops and patriotic concert in a beautiful outdoor setting, sponsored by Monroe County. County Executive Maggie Brooks will deliver opening remarks and read from the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln, featuring musical underscoring excerpted from John Williams' score to the 2012 Oscar-nominated film, Lincoln.

• The RPO makes a stop at SUNY Geneseo Saratoga Field on Friday, July 11 at 8:30 p.m. for the annual Summer Spectacular with Fireworks.
• Buzz Lightyear, Nemo and Lightning McQueen will light up from projections on the Kodak Hall stage at Eastman Theatre for Pixar in Concert on Saturday, July 12 at 7 p.m. All your favorite Pixar characters will come to life as stunning visual clips from all 14 films are paired with live music from each film.

• Experience A Day in the Life with the RPO and Classical Mystery Tour, a world-renowned Beatles tribute band, at CMAC on Sunday, July 20 at 6 p.m. Classical Mystery Tour returns to play with the RPO after performing Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band at the RPO’s 2012-2013 season opener.

• The summer’s 20th annual fundraiser for Temple B’rith Kodesh is Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Temple (2131 Elmwood Avenue). RPO Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach Michael Butterman will lead the performance, featuring a mix of classical and pop selections as well as a performance by the Rochester Philharmonic League’s Young Artist Auditions Special Award Winner David Steinhardt.

• Backed by the RPO, multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter Ben Folds performs his new piano concerto, along with orchestral arrangements of many of his pop hits, at CMAC on Tuesday, July 22 at 8 p.m.

• On Friday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m., The Fulton Chain of Lakes Performing Arts Council will present An Evening with the Symphony at Arrowhead Park in Inlet, NY.

• To wrap up a month of July concerts, the RPO will perform at Frontier Field on Saturday, July 26 at 8:30 p.m., following the Red Wings vs. the Indianapolis Indians 6:05 p.m. game. Fireworks will follow the RPO concert, which is free with a game ticket.

For tickets and more information, visit rpo.org