Melodies that salute America will be at the forefront of a Labor Day weekend concert by the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra.
Set for 7:30 p.m. Sunday, the performance along Lake Michigan is, in large part, touting a repertoire that is by “American composers, and about America,” according to Robert Vodnoy, the orchestra’s conductor and music director.
“It’s a musical reflection of our great country,” Vodnoy said.
In keeping with that theme, Vodnoy said this year’s installment of his orchestra’s annual Labor Day weekend bash includes Arthur Harris’ “Suite of Well-Known American Melodies.”
The suite features “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” “Camptown Races,” “Shenandoah,” “Deep River” and “Yankee Doodle.”
Vodnoy said the compilation has flash: “It’s a really spectacular suite. It’s about 15 minutes long. Arthur Harris was a really brilliant orchestrator and arranger.”
Presented in Whiting Lakefront Park, the celebratory night ends with fireworks.
“They’re accompanied with live music,” Vodnoy noted. “We always end the fireworks display with ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever.’ “
Also scheduled to complement the fireworks is Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” along with rock ‘n’ roll flavored material that salutes an American original.
“It’s a medley of Elvis Presley songs,” said Vodnoy, a music professor and orchestra director at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D.
Maria Storm, meanwhile, is supplying international performance experience to the free outdoor concert in Whiting.
Storm is being a given a platform to highlight her violin skills at the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra’s final 2017 summer show, which has the theme “A Patriotic Grand Finale.”
Serving as guest concertmaster for the night, Storm made her solo debut at 14 with the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra in Ukraine, where she was born.
Storm went on to place second at the first Baltic Competition for Young Violinists in Gdansk, Poland.
On Sunday in Whiting, Storm will be the featured artist for a performance of Camille Saint-Saens’ “Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso.”
Calling it “very exciting and enjoyable,” Storm said the virtuoso piece affords her the opportunity to have a solo spotlight.
“It’s, I would say, romantic with Spanish influence,” Storm said of the 19th century work.
Explaining that it has two parts, Storm said the ” ‘Introduction’ is very slow and melodic and beautiful.”
Storm’s expertise will be displayed at an annual Labor Day weekend concert which Vodnoy said draws “an enormous audience.”
A stirring highlight is the “Armed Forces Salute,” which honors all branches of the United States military.
The night in the park also will get a twist as a different side of legendary composer John Philip Sousa is emphasized.
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“People think of John Philip Sousa as ‘The March King,’ but he actually wrote operettas and lots of other dance pieces,” Vodnoy said. “So I did some research and found three pieces by John Philip Sousa that weren’t marches.”
Vodnoy said it is a way “to get a broader sense” of the man who wrote “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “Semper Fidelis,” a Marine Corps tribute.
The Labor Day weekend crowd will hear Sousa’s rhythmic side through the trio of alternative works gathered by Vodnoy.
“It’s a suite of three dances,” said Vodnoy, who divides his time between South Dakota and Valparaiso.
The maestro plans to highlight another American composer of a different bent, as George Gershwin will likewise be remembered by the 44-member orchestra.
A medley from Gershwin’s Broadway show “Crazy for You” will include vintage pop standards such as “I Got Rhythm” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
Gershwin’s music will be dispensed in a picnic atmosphere, as concertgoers relax on lawn chairs and blankets.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
A Patriotic Grand Finale
Where: Whiting Lakefront Park, 119th and Front streets
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Free; parking $5
Information: 219-659-0292, http://www.whitingindiana.com