Downey orchestra revives park concert tradition
DOWNEY — “I’m thrilled,” said Sharon Lavery, music director of the Downey Symphony Orchestra, “that the kids of Downey will once again get the chance to conduct our talented musicians.”
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 7 pm, because that’s when the Downey Symphonic Society presents another rousing Pops Concert in Furman Park. This year’s theme is Broadway Celebration, and for the first time in several years, children of every age are again invited to come up and conduct the Orchestra in the evening’s finale of Souza marches.
“There’s nothing like seeing their bright-eyed faces,” said Sharon, “when they step up onto the podium to lead our Downey Symphony.”
Music is part of Downey’s evenings at the park that include families picnicking on blankets, with slices of homemade coconut cake and lemon merengue pies for dessert provided by the Downey Rose Float Association. Pleasant twilight breezes drive away the heat and cares of the day.
What makes symphonic music different? The orchestra has all the band instruments, adds timpani in the percussion, plus the full range of strings: violins, violas, cellos, bass. The sound is fuller because the strings bring out the timbre, the tone color of each instrument. You can hear how each one sounds within the orchestral as a whole.
When the Orchestra plays this year’s Broadway Celebration, the sound is extra rich. In Broadway in Parade, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” has that spine-tingling deep dark sound. The songs of Irving Berlin dance and shine. In Sound of Music Medley of Rogers and Hammerstein you’ll hear every one of your favorite things, bright, mellow, fuzzy, and warm.
“Every year,” said Sharon, “one of my favorite moments in the park concert is when we play American Salute by Morton Gould, and then Armed Forces Salute. We pay tribute to all those in the audience who have served, or who are currently serving, or who have family members currently serving in one of the branches of the United States Armed Forces. They stand while their service anthem is played. The rest of the audience applauds softly.
“We’re grateful,” added Sharon, “that the kids of Downey will once again get the chance to conduct our talented musicians, as the climax of the evening. After several years of children not being able to share the baton because of precautions about Covid, every child will get a turn.”
Leading a professional orchestra in a symphonic arrangement of Souza marches has to be a lifetime thrill. The Downey Symphony Orchestra is a professional regional group that has been acclaimed and has brought recognition to Downey throughout the Los Angeles basin.
Parents will be taking pictures, even of babes in arms, so the kids can relive their moment. The Orchestra plays on steadily as the parade of children climbs the steps to the stage and each gets their thirty seconds to make musical magic.
The Pops in the Park was started over 30 years ago under the baton of Dr. Tom Osborn. Dr. Tom loved donning a tall striped Uncle Sam hat and leading the children onto the stage and placing the baton in their hands. The DSS has always offered the free concert as part of their outreach to children and families in Downey.
The performing arts have taken a heavy hit from three years of Covid, and audiences and revenues have been slow to return. This year the City of Downey is helping the Downey Symphonic Society by sponsoring the DSS’s presentation of the Symphony’s summer concert. Being able to present a composer’s composition through a live performance by skilled musicians, is the highest expression of the art. The ripple effect on the audience is priceless.
Contributing to this Downey tradition is the City Council’s way of continuing its dedication to the special quality of life in Downey.