The Arts Council’s annual patriotic pops Celebrating Our Independence, performed by The Northwinds Symphonic Band will take place July 3 on the lawn of The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center at 8pm. Gates will open at 6pm for picnickers and socializers. Tickets: $18 Adult; $15 Senior/Student; Tables of 8 $184. Series tickets $90 each. 7% tax will be charged to all ticket sales. For tickets call 770.534.2787 or visit www.TheArtsCouncil.net

The Northwinds Symphonic Band was organized in 1984, by founder Ron Evans, as a performance outlet for adult musicians, primarily music educators, in the North Georgia area. From its inception the ensemble has grown to include over 80 members and has performed for the Georgia Music Educators on five different occasions and continues to perform a series of incredibly well attended and received concerts throughout the year.

The Northwinds Symphonic Band is now led by former band director Mercer Crook and the roster includes other band directors, both active and retired, music teachers, college students, professional musicians and several players who pursue an occupation outside the field of music. Patriotic selections will honor our country and the people dedicated to preserving our freedom! This concert will highlight three conductors – Mercer Crook, Ernie Phillips and Craig Cantrell. Celebrating Our Independence will feature the John Williams Liberty Fanfare, Concord Overture with music of the War for Independence, The Sound of Music commemorating the 50^th anniversary of its premiere, The Home Front featuring popular tunes from World War II, Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the USA; Irving Berlin’s God Bless America; Verdi’s great orchestral overture La Forza del Destino, and of course Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever.  Featured vocal soloists will include Michelle Martin and Jonathan Jackson.

You will be exposed to the winds and percussion in fascinating interplay beautifully performed with technical brilliance and abundant flair. Musical selections will encompass a grasp of every artistic and patriotic nuance within an overall aesthetic devoid of fussiness. In the finale, Crook will lead the orchestra through dynamic valleys and scales, to new peaks with masterful control in a spirit of freedom, vigor and all things red, white and blue! You will leave us with a true sense of patriotic pride and loyalty… heroic images of troops fighting for freedom, Martin Luther King Jr. speaking for civil rights, and George Washington crossing the Delaware… Bring the entire family and kick-start your fourth of July holiday with us! Picnic baskets, lawn chairs, beverages of choice, blankets are all welcome!

  Arts, Arts Council, Northwinds