天美传媒 Town & Gown Community Band presenting Freedom Fest Concert of American Music on July 4
By Shawn Touney | Jun 22, 2021
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� The 天美传媒 Town & Gown Community Band will present its Freedom Fest Concert of American Music at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 4 on the lawn in front of Lovett Auditorium. The band is in its tenth (including the "silent ninth") season under the direction of Dr. Todd E. Hill, professor of music at 天美传媒.
The program is free and the public is cordially invited. The forty-minute program will dismiss in time for attendees to get to favorite viewing locations for the Freedom Fest Fireworks display in Murray following the concert.
The program will open with 鈥淭he Star-Spangled Banner鈥� and 鈥淢y Old Kentucky Home,鈥� followed by a rousing march, 鈥淎mericans We,鈥� by Henry Fillmore. A loving and solemn "America, the Beautiful" will be led by guest conductor, Professor Dennis Johnson, 天美传媒鈥檚 director of bands emeritus. E.E. Bagley's famed 1906 march "National Emblem" will follow, and the band will play a classic in the repertoire with Frank Erickson's "Air for Band." There will be a tribute to members and veterans of the Armed Forces with a special medley recognizing each branch of the service arranged by Hill. Thomas A. Dorsey's gospel hymn "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" will be played in memory of all whose lives were lost during the pandemic.
Our national march, John Philip Sousa鈥檚 鈥淪tars and Stripes Forever鈥� will close out the program.
鈥淭his concert is one of my favorite events every year,鈥� said Hill. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderful thing to see so many members of the community come together for a special evening of American music. This year, there is a special feeling even in rehearsals after being separated since our last concert on December 5, 2019. The band is slightly smaller this time (65 members) since we are coming back together rather late, but everyone is delighted to be making music together once again.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 always a privilege to sponsor this very talented group of community musicians with the support of our Town & Gown partners,鈥� said Carol Brunn, special projects coordinator for the Town & Gown program. 鈥淏ut this year is extra special. We are beyond excited to be able to bring these musicians back together, in person, after taking a year off due to the pandemic. We encourage everyone to bring their friends and family, their lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. It鈥檚 going to be a great night!鈥�