It was a lovely Southern California evening, clear skies, light breeze, and the lushly orchestrated movie music of John Williams.

We celebrated his 90th birthday by listening to such pieces as The Imperial March from “Star Wars” and Hedwig’s plaintive theme from the first Harry Potter movie.

Downey Symphonic Society President Anthony Crespo welcomed the large crowd to the concert, and thanked DSS board member Joanne Gronley for helping to make it possible. Anthony reminded everyone that the Downey Symphonic Orchestra’s first performance in the Downey Theatre will be on Saturday, Oct. 15. Folks, if you enjoyed tonight, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Volunteers from the Downey Rose Float Association were serving steamed hot dogs with all the fixings, and delicious slices of pie and cake. Lucky me, I got a piece of the pecan pie. On New Year’s Day 2023, I’ll know my pennies helped buy a rose or two on Downey’s signature float.

Pops-goers included Martha Sodetani picnicking with Gordon and Skylar, and Cindy, a friend of Gordon’s from Colombia. Martha is retiring from the school board after 17 sterling years of service.

“I just felt it was time,” she said.

Cheryl and Bob Belcher were a twosome as they sat together and listened. Dan Hurlock, Downey’s fire chief, said he tries not to miss any of the summer series, ably put on by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Bernice Mancebo Stumps told us she had celebrated her own birthday earlier this month.

“On the day the Declaration of Independence was really signed,” she said. “July 2nd. Not the 4th.”

The light from the setting sun touched the leaves on the trees and lit the long hair of the young girls. Against a sunset that ranged from gold to orange to pink, and then purple and gray, Music Director Sharon Lavery conducted the orchestra in a rendition of “America the Beautiful,” and then swung into Morton Gould’s setting of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” a Civil War song that tells musically of the soldiers’ longing for the end of the war.

The medley of American military service anthems always draws applause as members of the audience who have served, or who have family members who have served, stand when their music is played. Folks sang and clapped for the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force, and the Navy.

The finale is always the family part of the show, when Conductor Sharon announced she’s too tired to close the evening, and needs some help. Swarms of children run to line up for the stairs leading up to the stage. A mother led her two children by the hands, and a father carried a toddler in his arms and helped her conduct a rousing Souza march.

The orchestra plays on as long as there is a child waiting, from the piccolo to the cymbal player, the trumpets and trombone to the French horn. The double bass player twirled his fiddle and the violins played mightily. They love this as much as we do.

“Thank you for coming,” said Sharon. “This is your Downey Symphony Orchestra.”

Orchestra closes out Downey's summer concert series