Honors Veterans, Active Duty Military, Law Enforcement and First Responders
North Valley Symphony Orchestra (NVSO) will close out their season and kick off the summer with a patriotic musical tribute to America. The “Summer Salute” concert will be held on Saturday, May 11 at 7:00 p.m. This concert is in a new venue, Shadow Mountain High School Performing Arts Auditorium, 2902 E. Shea Blvd., in Phoenix.
Get set for lively classics such as Sousa’s Stars & Stripes Forever and Washington Post March, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, dance selections from the always popular Rodeo by Copland, and Gould’s American Salute. Veterans, active duty military personnel, and first responders will be given free admission. To reserve your free ticket, enter the coupon code “HERO” on the payment screen at the ticketing website (www.northvalleysymphony.org/tickets- sales). Please wear your uniform, service cap, or present other proof of service (e.g. military i.d., badge, etc.) when picking up tickets at Will Call.
The concert will open with a presentation of colors by Luke AFB’s Color Guard, and North Valley Youth Orchestra playing our National Anthem. Music Director Kevin Kozacek plans for audience participation to “sound the cannons” during the 1812 Overture. “This will be a fantastic experience for our audience, not only helping with cannon sounds, but also offering recognition and thanks to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces during the Armed Forces Salute,” says Kozacek. “As each service hymn is played, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, we will ask those in that service, veterans or active duty, to stand.”
“We’re also honoring law enforcement and first responders with Summon the Heroes, a piece written by John Williams in 1996 for the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic games,” says Kozacek. “I felt that piece was very appropriate to honor the heroic work performed by all of our nation’s first responders.”
NVSO proudly provides affordable concert experiences to the Phoenix North Valley community. Tickets are only $5.00 and should be purchased online by early May as this concert is sure to sell out. Attending NVSO concerts is the perfect way to inspire children and young adults in the appreciation of orchestral music, while nurturing a family tradition of regularly supporting the arts in your community.
The “Summer Salute” concert is sponsored by the Phoenix Metro Chamber Foundation (PMCF). PMCF is a fundraising entity working with local charities who support those struggling with the unexpected and unplanned occurrences of everyday living, specifically children, veterans and their families, at-risk animals and for everyone during times of emergency. They envision a community working together to achieve the impossible, and proudly partner with NVSO in a variety of community outreach events. PMCF asks audience members to participate in their “Operation Homefront – Back to School Brigade”, by donating a new backpack the evening of the concert at the PMCF table in the auditorium lobby. Donated backpacks will be distributed to children whose families can’t afford to buy a new backpack for the next school year.
