The Lake County Symphony Orchestra kicks off the new season in a big way with its Broadway/Hollywood Blockbusters free concert at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Zion Bandshell.
“For several years the LCSO has celebrated great movie and theater music for this annual outdoor Labor Day event as an expression of knowing our public and what they want,” said Conductor and Artistic Director Ron Arden. “I also love this music and believe any orchestra in the country needs to represent this great American art form.”
The music on the program includes selections from “Wicked,” “My Fair Lady,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Disney Magic,” “Porgy and Bess,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and more.
“These are medleys from movies and musicals of about eight to 10 minutes in length and feature the most well-known and memorable tunes in those movies/musicals,” Arden explained.
But not every medley is created equal, so every piece has to be carefully selected.
“The arrangers of these medleys are the key to their success — not all arrangers handle the original material well so it sounds like what people know and love,” Arden said. “I make it a habit to only use the good ones.”
No doubt these scores are not just well-known but well-loved.
“The music is just so cool — I have always loved theater, am an actor/singer myself — and as I said, this is American music,” Arden said. “It needs to be played and heard.”
Of course, not everyone is a fan of orchestral blockbuster pop.
“Not all classical players like it, and I say, that is too bad — you’re missing some of the greatest music America has to offer,” Arden said. “And people are really into musical theater these days; they always have been, but it has seen a surge recently.”
In addition to the material, the outdoor venue certainly makes things more challenging for the 50 orchestra members on stage.
“The Zion bandshell is small, not acoustically friendly so we have to amplify every instrument, faces the western sunsets (which) can be brutal on the orchestra if there is not breeze and the temps are high, then there is always the risk of rain and massive mosquito presence — otherwise it’s perfect,” Arden said. “The outdoor atmosphere is always a fun thing though, very casual and friendly, and people bring food and lawn chairs.”
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In case of rain, the show will go on. The orchestra will play across the park at Grace Missionary Church, 1415 27th St. in Zion.
Arden hopes the audience experiences “the joy of musical art.”
“The wonder of all the colors and sound of a live symphony orchestra playing music they know well,” he said. “The full richness of culture and a freedom it brings to make memories and nourish the spirit.”
Lake County Symphony Orchestra’s Broadway/Hollywood Blockbusters concert
When: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1
Where: Zion Bandshell, 2400 Dowie Memorial Drive
Tickets: free
Information: 847-746-3472; www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com
Jen Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.