Published: June 30, 2009 02:27 pm      

Independence Day extravaganza

Annual concert Saturday at Point Stadium

BY TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

A celebration of liberty and the recognition of members of the armed services are the pivotal elements for Johnstown’s annual Independence Day celebration Saturday at Point Stadium.

The free concert, presented at 8 p.m. by the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, will be under the direction of Maestro Istvan Jaray.

Weather permitting, concertgoers will be permitted on the stadium turf with blankets. Pointed objects, chairs or spiked heels that could pierce the turf will not be allowed.

The extravaganza begins with patriotic compositions honoring the country’s armed forces.

“My concept of this celebration is that it is only made possible by the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform who served to protect our freedom,” Jaray said.

A tradition that highlights the concert is when the orchestra plays the anthem of each military branch, and Jaray asks that each patron who has served or is serving in that particular branch of service stand up and be recognized.

Jaray is pleased how the event has grown and the number of people who look forward to making the concert a part of their Independence Day celebration.

“When I came here 25 years ago, we had no such event,” he said. “The Fourth of July is an incredible holiday, and when we did come up with the idea several years after I arrived, we started small.”

What began with small yet enthusiastic crowds at the Pitt-Johnstown sports center has grown into an extravaganza of thousands celebrating at Point Stadium. Thousands more watch an impressive fireworks display that completes the festivities.

The excitement begins with the presentation of the nation’s colors followed with everyone standing to sing the national anthem.

Catherine Janisko, Kelsi Yingling and Max Fedore, members of Johnstown’s Aubrey Singers, will lead the anthem and return throughout the evening to sing.

They will join the orchestra in a rousing tribute to the Statue of Liberty by performing “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor.”

Using the words of American poet Emma Lazarus, which appear on a plaque at the base of the statue in New York harbor, Douglas E. Wagner created the piece for band and chorus that captures the true sense of the nation.

Along with the patriotic theme, Jaray will lead the orchestra in several big band selections, polkas and possibly a Richard Rogers medley.

“In a salute to Johnstown, we will play the song we commissioned for the symphony’s 80th anniversary season titled ‘A Time for Heroes,’ which was written by American composer Lucas Richman,” Jaray said.

“It captures the spirit of how Johnstown and its people have not only overcome floods and economic hardships, but also are thriving compared to a lot of other places in America right now.”

The audience will be asked to sing along to the patriotic sounds of “It’s a Grand Old Flag,” “America the Beautiful,” “Yankee Doodle” and “God Bless America.”

“The Aubrey Singers also will lead our sing-along portion of the program,” Jaray said.

A barrage of cannon fire from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in Johnstown will accompany the orchestra’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”

As the fireworks continue, stadium lights will go dark as the dis-play is launched from atop Prospect Hill.

The orchestra calls upon the genius of John Philips Sousa as marches such as his “Stars ’n’ Stripes,” “Washington Post,” “Hands Across the Sea,” “El Capitan” and “Manhattan Beach” present a rousing backdrop to the festivities.

If there is a hint of rain, the concert moves inside the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

“We want very much to do the concert outside but cannot risk lives or damage to instruments,” said Pat Hofscher, symphony executive director.

“Broadcast media will be notified by late afternoon if the concert is moving indoors.”

If the concert must go inside, the fireworks will be cued to start after the concert to give people time to leave the arena.