Reflecting on Memorial Day concert

I hope everyone had a memorable and relaxing Memorial Day weekend. One of my traditions is to watch the National Memorial Day Concert from Washington, D.C.  Each year, this PBS broadcast features respectful and oftentimes tearful tributes to our veterans. The National Symphony Orchestra is featured, as well as military singers from the U.S. Army Field Chorus, The Singing Sergeants, and the U.S. Navy Sea Chanters.  Also featured are numerous vocalists from the field of Pop, Broadway, and Classical music.

This year was exceptional I thought, not only for the content of the show, but also for those performers featured to sing with the orchestra. I imagine many of you tune in to the broadcast and enjoy the concert too. Did you recognize anyone performing on stage this time?  One of the outstanding vocalists who sang a tribute with a bit of Irish in him was none other than our opening concert performer this past season at the Niswonger: Ronan Tynan.  His voice was powerful and clear as he stood proudly and sang his tribute to our veterans.  This past September, Ronan opened our season by speaking on Friday night and then singing in concert with the Lima Symphony Orchestra on Saturday night.

Standing behind Ronan as well as many of the other performers Sunday night was none other than several of the singers we have had at the Niswonger with the U.S. Army Field Band Chorus and the U.S. Navy Sea Chanters.  What a thrill for me to have my son say: “Hey, I remember singing with him at the PAC this year!”  What a privilege that was!  A few other select singers from Van Wert, Crestview and Lincolnview also enjoyed that opportunity.  I hope they were watching too.

I guess you never know, the next performer you see at the Niswonger may be the next featured performer on television before a national or international audience. This time the proof was in watching the National Memorial Day Concert 2013 from Washington, D.C.

As we get ready to announce our new season of 2013-14 at the Niswonger, you just don’t know if the next time you turn on your television, they could be performing for the entire country.  Or, perhaps someone you have been watching on TV might be coming soon to the NPAC.  If you really want to be among the first to find out who is coming, call the box office and reserve a seat at our unveiling of the new season on Wednesday, June 12.  You just may be surprised…. and we hope excited.  You will also be the first to find out how you can reserve your seats for the “hottest show in town” next season!

Get ready also for Friday, June 7, when Phil Dirt & the Dozers drive their ‘57 Chevy into town filled with all the great songs you love to hear. The concert begins at 7 p.m. in Fountain Park with food and fun located all over downtown as part of the Peony and ArtRageous Festival.  It’s almost summer and we’ll have fun, fun, fun, in Fountain Park beginning in less than two weeks!

FINÉ.