Music and Concerts by Kalene McCourt
Daily Camera
May the Fourth be with you
For the second year in a row, Boulder Symphony has partnered with Arts in the Park to offer a July 4th concert that promises classics like “The Overture of 1812,” but also offers some recognizable tunes from the cinematic masterpieces and small-screen gems.
From left, Boulder Symphony percussionist Paul Finckel, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes, principal violist Erin Napier, composer Gregory T.S. Walker, principal cellist Erin Patterson, executive director Andrew Krimm and principal second violinist Ben Ehrmantraut pose for a portrait at the Boulder Bandshell on June 28, 2021, in Boulder. (Timothy Hurst/File photo)
The concert kicks off at the Boulder Bandshell Monday at 7 p.m.
Attendees can look forward to the songs heard in “Harry Potter” movies, written by John Williams.
“For the July 4 celebrations, we love to showcase contributions made by Americans to the musical and cultural canons,” said Devin Patrick Hughes, Boulder Symphony’s music director and conductor. “There is perhaps no better-known classical composer today than John Williams. His mission was to bring the sounds of the orchestra to as many as possible, and there are Easter eggs from music of Dvorak, Strauss, Copland, Korngold and more peppered throughout his music.”
Tickets to the Fourth of July concert range between $5-$10.
“We will also bring to life other great scores from ‘Star Wars’ and Jerry Goldsmith’s ‘Star Trek: First Contact,’ which poses the dream of connecting and cooperating with beings from other planets,” Hughes said. “This is one of my favorite Hollywood themes and certainly one of the most beautiful.”
Straying from typical classical offerings, Boulder Symphony always makes sure to deliver a show rich with contemporary and wild-card favorites.
“One the new works I am most excited about is Jessie Montgomery’s ‘Soul Force,’ which brings to life a voice struggling to be heard beyond the thumb of oppression,” Hughes said. “The symphonic work uses big-band, funk, hip hop and R&B to portray Dr. Martin Luther King’s endorsement of soul force to meet the challenges of our time, and never physical violence.”
Longmont Symphony Orchestra has been performing as part of Longmont’s Fourth of July celebration since the mid-90s. This year’s show will be a nice welcome back after a couple of pandemic years. Like Boulder Symphony, Longmont Symphony Orchestra will also include “Star Wars” songs in the mix.