406 SYMPHONY WILL LIGHT UP JULY 4TH WITH ROUSING SOUSA MARCHES AND MORE

SYMPHONY WILL LIGHT UP JULY 4TH WITH ROUSING SOUSA MARCHES AND MORE

June 20, 2007
CONTACT: Marlane Sewell, Parks and Rec, 615-893-2141
Tom Tozer, MTSU, 615-898-2919

MURFREESBORO—There will be no better time to sample the artistry, energy and variety of the Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra than to hear these professional musicians play during Rutherford County’s “Celebration Under the Stars,” which will kick off at 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 4, at MTSU’s intramural field, the traditional site for the countywide event.
From 5 to 8 p.m., there will be games and activities for the kids, including face painting, patriotic puzzles and arts ‘n’ crafts projects.
At approximately 8:00, there will be the presentation of colors by the Murfreesboro Fire Department’s Color Guard and a tribute to the armed forces and singing of the national anthem. The Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra will follow with a rousing hour-long program of traditional patriotic tunes, rousing marches, and inspirational classics. Dr. Raphael Bundage, MTSU professor in the Robert W. McLean School of Music, will conduct.
Musical selections will be composed of Sousa’s “El Capitan March,” “Semper Fidelis March,” “Washington Post March,” “King Cotton March,” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Others will include “Backaroo Holiday” and Variations on a Shaker Melody” by Copland; Strauss’ “Radeszky March” and “Pizzacato Polka,” “Chariots of Fire” (Vangelis), “Tennessee Waltz” (Steinberg), “American Fantasy” (Herbert), “Armed Forces Salute” (Lowden), and of course Tschaikowsky’s dramatic “1812 Overture.”
The Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra provides educational programs for youth and adults throughout Middle Tennessee and specifically serves Rutherford, Williamson, Wilson, Cannon, Davidson, Coffee, Warren and Bedford counties. Last year’s Youth Concert entertained more than 3,500 children throughout the region, and many member musicians also play with the Nashville, Jackson, Chattanooga and Huntsville symphonies.
Prior to the musical program, Rep. John Hood, program emcee, will extend a formal welcome at 7:30 p.m., followed by remarks from local dignitaries and sponsor representatives. This is Hood’s 10th year serving as emcee for this event.
The symphony will continue to play as the fireworks light up the sky at 9:00.
A special “Celebration Under the Stars” publication will be inserted in the Sunday, July 1, DNJ, providing a schedule of activities and a map of the celebration site.
For more information about the celebration, call Marlane Sewell, steering committee chair, at 615-893-2141 or Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation at 890-5333 or MTSU News and Public Affairs at 615-898-2919. For more information about the Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, call 615-898-1862.

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