Alumni Band kicks off Independence Week with concert
The Independence Day celebration in Cache Valley gets an outdoor musical boost from the Utah State University Alumni Band in an old-time, concert-in-the-park style event. The band, made up of volunteers who travel from throughout the region to perform, presents its outdoor concert Sunday, July 2, on the USU Quad, just east of USU’s Old Main building. The traditional holiday concert begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to all.
“We hope that many families will come out and enjoy the evening together,” said USU professor of percussion and timpanist in the band, Dennis D. Griffin.
“We chose the Quad because of easy access, plenty of nearby parking and lots of space to spread out a blanket and have picnic dinner before the concert,” said band director Nicholas Morrison. “There will be some amplification, so you don’t have to sit in the first few rows in order to hear the music.”
The program, all from American composers, includes such favorites as Leroy Anderson’s “Buglers’ Holiday,” Carmen Dragon’s setting of “America the Beautiful” and Claude Smith’s setting of the Navy Hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”
A salute to both veterans and currently serving members of the armed forces is also included in the program.
“It is important, especially on this Independence Day concert, to recognize that our freedom was purchased, and is maintained, only through great sacrifices by men and women who put themselves in harm’s way for our benefit,” said Morrison. “We’ll ask them to stand and sing along with the band as we play their branch’s song.”
The band will also ask the audience to join in for another number, Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.”
In case of inclement weather, the performance will take place in the Kent Concert Hall.
Parking for the outdoor concert is available in the A6 parking lot to the south of Old Main. Gates should be open, and parking is free on Sunday. Additional parking is available in the USU Parking Terrace (approximately 850 East 700 N.), located adjacent to the Taggart Student Center.
Looking ahead, the next Alumni Band concert is Sunday, July 16. This is the band’s 64th season.