‘Americana Panorama’ at Freeport Esplanade, July 9

The Freeport Community Band presents a program that celebrates the American musical spirit with a program entitled “Americana Panorama.” The program will present a variety of American music that represents our country’s musical heritage. The band is pleased to be performing in its hometown of Freeport as a part of the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport’s Sunset Concert Series on the Nautical Mile on Thursday, July 9, at 7 p.m. In the event of rain, the concert will be held in the Freeport Recreation Center at 130 East Merrick Road. The concert is free and all are welcome to enjoy an evening of America’s music under the stars.

The program will begin with President Roosevelt’s Grand Triumphant March celebrating Long Island native Teddy Roosevelt’s election as president in 1904. The popular folk tune Shenandoah will be presented in a beautiful arrangement by Frank Tichelli. The program will feature some of America’s most famous composers’ most popular works, including Aaron Copland’s Hoe Down from Rodeo and Ferde Grofe’s On the Trail from his Grand Canyon Suite. Selections from Robert Russell Bennett’s Suite of Old American Dances showcase the popular dance styles at the turn of the century.

America’s popular songs for movies and Broadway will also be heard in the concert. Rodgers and Hart a Medley for Concert Band includes some of the duo’s most famous songs including: Mimi, Isn’t it Romantic, It’s Easy to Remember and Lover. Richard Rodgers’ music with his other famous collaborator’ Oscar Hammerstein’ will be heard in selections from their musical, Oklahoma! Over the Rainbow, from the movie The Wizard of Oz, will be performed by the band’s vocalist Virginia Santo.

America’s rich heritage of popular music will also play a part in the concert. Themes Like Old Times includes early popular songs including: Swanee, For Me and My Gal, Put Your Arms Around Me Honey, Pretty Baby and Hold That Tiger. Popular music that appeared on TV’s American Bandstand will have the audience up and dancing with A Salute to Dick Clark, which includes music from Chubby Checker, The Beach Boys, The Jackson 5 and others. Neil Diamond songs including America, Sweet Caroline, Cherry Cherry and I’m a Believer will be sure to have the audience singing along. A concert of America’s music would not be complete without John Philip Sousa’s most famous march The Stars and Stripes Forever.

America has a wide variety of music for concert band and the concert includes selections that will be familiar to listeners of all ages.