Welcome breezes and lingering shadows were the setting last Wednesday for Pops in the Park, the Downey Symphony’s annual concert of well-known stage and film music set to symphonic arrangements.

Families in Furman Park shared blankets and beach chairs, and children played while they waited for the concert to begin. A special treat was in store this time at the end for them. On the fringes of the crowd a few kids played with a soccer ball. It’s a comfortable event.

I saw Glenn Stephens, founder of Downey’s own Indie Film Festival for Niche Films. When asked about this annual cinematic event, to be held in October for the 13th time, Glenn said he and the committee were busy with plans. Somehow Glenn juggles all the balls, negotiates with feature suppliers, deals with venues and presents quality films. Glennfest now operates under the independent umbrella of the Downey Film Society, a non-profit 401k corporation. Watch this space for breaking news and dates.

Martha Medford Sodetani anchored a row of family and friends, and Tom Hutchinson and son Kevin shared slices of pumpkin and apple pie, home-baked by the Downey Rose Float Association. Mark Keller helped with set-ups for the orchestra, and Bill and Katie Hare relaxed under a tall palm tree. Marge and Larry Lewis brought folding chairs from their home a block behind the park. The grass in the park and trees look well-cared for.

Dorothy Pemberton dropped by to say hello. She never misses a concert. Several well behaved dogs stayed close to their owners, including the miniature white poodle who sits near me with her two young humans in the Downey Theatre for the subscription concerts. She fits easily inside a lady’s purse. Much bigger dogs also attended in the park.

Airplanes silently glided above, dropping down to 3,000 feet on their approach over Downey to LAX. Pilots of the purple twilight as Tennyson called them.

At seven o’clock sharp Miss Downey welcomed the crowd, her tiara glinting in the light of the low sun. She and the court, wearing shorts or jeans with their regal regalia, introduced themselves, displaying the poise and charm they bring to their duties.

Anthony Crespo, President of the Downey Symphonic Society, greeted the audience. Anthony thanked the City Council for sponsoring this concert, helping the DSS to keep up a Downey tradition of over 35 years. Carolyn Osborn, concertmaster, took the stage and the orchestra completed its final tune-up.

The Downey Symphony Orchestra, reduced from theatre hall concert size to an abbreviated park version, plays inside a band shell formed by the large open-sided truck that the Department of Parks and Recreation delivers, with an extended apron platform to contain all the players. Symphonies bring a string section to the orchestration, and that enhances the texture of the band instruments, the brasses and winds and percussion.

Ready for the start of the show, Music Director Sharon Lavery took the stage, in summer formal white jacket and black trousers to match the white and black of the performers. She lifted her baton for a rousing drum roll, and everyone stood for the National Anthem. The Pops in the Park had begun.

After the Salute to Broadway, featuring a medley of show tunes from The King and I, and Irving Berlin, Conductor Sharon turned to speak to the audience, saying how much the musicians appreciated the City of Downey for supporting the DSS and sponsoring this concert. They love to come and play for Downey.

And then after a dramatic pause, Board Member Pat Gil took the stage, dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, face painted half-white like a mask and wearing deep red velvet cloak.

The chilling sounds of Music of the Night were about to be played, and Pat was announcing the annual Garden Party that Downey Symphonic Society puts on, to fund future concerts. The theme will be Masks and Paris in the Phantom’s 1890’s, and Pat invited everyone to come for a sumptuous dinner, entertainment, and special auction opportunities, on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 24. Tickets are $85, contact Pat at patgil1031@gmail.com.

The haunting chords of the long-playing Broadway melodrama wafted across the air. And then the mood changed as conductor Sharon swung into patriotic songs with the “Armed Forces Salute” and Morton Gould’s American Salute. Many proudly stood when their service hymn was played, and the audience softly applauded their service.

Then came the moment the children were waiting for: for the first time in three years, every tot in the park was invited to come up and have a turn at conducting a real live symphony orchestra. This is the Downey Symphony Orchestra’s signature event.

The strings struck up, and the brass: trumpets, bugles and cornets and the tuba; the winds, from piccolo and flute to clarinet and bassoon; the cymbals and timpani, the big bass drum and the glockenspiel: all swung into a medley of John Philip Souza marches, and eager kids lined up at the side steps.

No matter how many, everyone got her and his turn, with Conductor Sharon putting the baton in their hands and leading each one to the podium. No matter what the kids did, the orchestra played on, as the families took pictures and recorded the moment.

Another evening of glorious music, with the youthful volunteer conductors wrapping up the concert.

Pops in the park perseveres