RELATED
The show is presented by the Springfield Arts Council and is admission free.
Symphony conductor Peter Stafford Wilson is excited to offer the first all-baroque program for the Arts Festival.
“The repertoire was written for outdoor events, so it seemed logical to create such a program,” he said. “The Handel ‘Royal Fireworks’ music was written for an outdoor celebration that included a fireworks display, so it seems appropriate to revisit that notion.”
Although hindered by the many trees and the close proximity to the hospital, the symphony reached out to Hamburg Fireworks to develop a show that will display at ground level for its needs.
Symphony Executive Director Lou Ross said the local fire department was consulted and a fire marshal will be on hand. The pyrotechnics are sponsored by Always Sunny Realty and Dhingra Orthodontics.
Stafford Wilson said the symphony always looks forward to this opportunity each year and has been involved in each season since the festival’s inception.
“We reach a totally unique audience with our Summer Arts Festival appearance,” he said. “Many follow us indoors during the winter, but many also visit with us only when we are at Veteran’s Park. So in our mission to connect with as many folks in the area as possible, this is a vital tool for us.
“The Orchestra enjoys playing in this venue as great care was taken to insure that it is a workable space for them. The acoustics on stage are good, the proximity to the audience is engaging and the natural setting is quite inspirational. As long as we have clothes pins to secure our music to the stands, we are good to go.”
Contact this contributing writer at bturner004@woh.rr.com.
How to go
What: Springfield Symphony Orchestra
Where: Turner Pavilion, Veteran’s Park, Springfield
When: 8 p.m. Sunday, June 11
Admission: Free
About the Author