When Kerry Smith, the Utah Symphony’s vice president of artistic planning, designed the setlist for its upcoming America250 concert in Midway, she wanted the performance to be anchored around one quote from former conductor Maurice Abravanel: “To be a good American is not only to be aware that we are citizens of the finest country in the world. It is also to constantly strive to be even better.”
Smith said that Abravanel, an immigrant from the Ottoman Empire, or modern day Greece, believed in having a “dynamic country.”
“He just talks about the responsibility and the identity that comes with (being a citizen),” Smith said.
That struck a chord with her.
On July 4, Smith said Midway will be the stage for a Utah Symphony performance exploring what it means to be an American citizen and the history of the United States.
“We’re using America250 as an opportunity to look back at our history as well as American history,” Smith said. “We have some wonderful Americana works as well as some opera works.”
There will also be music that reflects the patriotism of America250. The concert will open with “The Star Spangled Banner” before launching into John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare.” Elie Siegmeister’s “Western Suite” will follow with music reminiscent of the Old West.
Then, there are overtures and pieces weaving together the story of the United States. John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” serves as the program’s final act.
“We want to make sure that we have kind of multiple repertoire touch points with the audience,” Smith said. “We typically do both classical and popular music, which is very much reflected in this program.”
Conductor Conner Gray Covington will lead the orchestra. The former Utah Symphony associate conductor has also worked with the Boston Pops and Chicago Symphony.
Aubree Oliverson — an internationally renowned violinist — and vocalist Amy Owens will also perform soloists.
Owens, who has had a packed national and international career as a vocalist, said that, when she was asked to perform, she was grinning from ear to ear.
“Are you kidding me? … It’s one of the highlights of my career; I imagine it will be,” Owens said.
Since the performance takes place on the Fourth of July, Owens said the program “has momentum.” Owens said her personality lends itself well to performing and, being surrounded by music with the opportunity to connect with audiences is “just the best thing in life.”
Owens said she feels that will stay true on Independence Day.
“This program has a lot of joy built into it, a lot of delight, and it also has poignant moments in it, so I feel like it’s a perfect way to reflect on everything we’ve been given, to feel gratitude, to feel awe,” Owens said.
She said that’s exactly what an audience should be feeling on such a celebratory day.
Utah Symphony Front of House Director Melissa Robison said it’s not just the music that will take center stage, but also the backdrop of Town Square. The Wasatch Back, she said, provides the perfect awe-inspiring experience to accompany a legendary performance.
“I love the symphony, but the backdrop is the experience,” Robison said. “I think there’s something magical about just being part of that, and then realizing that the music is moving you in a whole new way.”
Robison said the symphony is a “supportive element” to the entire experience, which she hopes will be unique to audience members. That’s especially true for the soloists and the conductor.
“He’s fantastic,” Robison said. “So fun to watch, so engaged.”
Camille Palmer, the city’s communications and public information manager, has also been leading the charge on America250 events. Palmer said the performance marks an epic moment for the Wasatch Back city.
“They’ll finish right at 10 o’clock as the fireworks start on Memorial Hill,” Palmer said. “It’s really kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Palmer said city leaders are excited about the opportunity to work with the symphony, especially with the series of events that have led up to the culmination of America 250 celebrations.
“Two hundred and fifty years doesn’t come around very often, and so we just decided that we really wanted to make this a community celebration and to have events and activities that involve everybody,” Palmer said, adding that the symphony’s performance will be free to the public.
It’s Palmer’s hope that the community will come early and enjoy the patriotic performance as well as the entirety of Midway’s America250 celebration. So far, Palmer has heard nothing but positivity from the community.
“(They’re) very excited,” Palmer said.
Midway City will host America250 events until the celebration. The Utah Symphony will put on its free-to-the-public concert at Midway Town Square with seating opening at 4 p.m. and the performance starting at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.