Celebrate the 4th with music

Utah State University’s Alumni Band brings a Fourth of July activity to Logan made famous in larger cities – Boston and Washington, D.C., come to mind – and the best news is the event is actually on July 4.

The band, under the direction of Nicholas Morrison, professor of music in the department of music at Utah State, will present an outdoor patriotic concert specifically designed to celebrate Independence Day. The concert begins at 7 p.m. on the lawn south of Old Main, at the top of the amphitheatre. The concert is free. In the event of rain, the concert will be held in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center.

“Bring your lawn chairs, bring your blankets, your picnics, your dogs and children,” Morrison said. “This is a program not to be missed.”

The program includes traditional 4th of July musical fare, Morrison continued. Selections include “The American Civil War Fantasy” and Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Guest artist for the concert is Cory Evans, director of choral activities in the department of music at Utah State. Evans will narrate “Lincoln Portrait” by Aaron Copland.

The Utah State University Alumni Band is comprised of graduates and friends of Utah State. The philosophy of the band is simple – to provide band music in the best concert-in-the-park tradition, whether indoors or out.

The Alumni Band concert series is a salute to the dedication of the band members, a number of whom have played with the band for many years.

“This is truly a labor of love for these fine folks – love of music, of performing for our summer audience, of the band’s founder, Dr. Max Dalby, and, of course, love of Utah State,” Morrison said.

Future concert dates include performances July 25 and Aug. 1, both in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center.