American Festival Pops Orchestra, Anthony Maiello conducting.
Veterans Day weekend will bring two musical concerts to honor veterans of military service and America’s “greatest generation” at the Center for the Arts. The two separate performances will span patriotic favorites, American musical standards and swinging jazz along with signature vocals to honor those who have served America.
The shows include Jazz 4 Justice’s “Tribute to the Greatest Generation” and the American Festival Pops Orchestra’s “A Salute to Our Veterans.”
Under the musical direction of Jim Carroll, Jazz 4 Justice’s “Tribute to the Greatest Generation” will feature music running the gamut from Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Toots Thielemann, to Louis Prima and more. “What better way to pay tribute to our brave men and women of the armed forces with the music that marched us through World War II,” said Darden Purcell, Director of Jazz Studies, George Mason University
The concert will “not only pay tribute to our heroes; the men and women of the United States military, but also showcase the work of our wonderful students,” said Purcell.
“Many young adults now do not grow up with the music of Duke Ellington so it is incredibly gratifying to watch them develop, both musically and emotionally, when they make a connection with ‘Jazz’ and its significance within American history.”
Celebrating jazz, “the music is going to be great! You will leave "fingers snappin' and toes tappin'!" added Purcell.
Under the baton of Anthony Maiello, Professor of Music at Mason, the 60-member American Festival Pops Orchestra will “Salute” veterans with musical numbers from the likes of Glenn Miller, John Philips Sousa, along with the vocal quartet, “The Side Boys” of the United States Navy Band. There will also be an emotional rendition of "The Stars and Stripes Forever."
“Our audiences come to be engaged. Patrons can expect to be part of the concert, to be involved from the very first note,” said Maiello. “I can promise them that they will feel better when they walk out of the concert hall than when they entered it.”
Maiello added, “I believe American music is essential to our existence as a nation. Everything we do involves music in some way or another. Holidays, ceremonies, events, personal and public gatherings are just a few examples of how music plays a role in our daily lives, whether we are making it or listening to it.”
Where and When
Jazz 4 Justice: “A Tribute to the Greatest Generation” at George Mason University, Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Performance on Nov. 12, 2016 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 adults, $15 for students and seniors. Tickets are available online at cfa.gmu.edu or by phone at 888-945-2468. NOTE: There will be a reception and jam session hosted by the Mason student group, “The Voyage” immediately following.
- American Festival Pops Orchestra: “A Salute to our Veterans” at George Mason University, Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Performance Nov. 13, 2016 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $50, $43, $30.with Youth Discount Tickets (half price tickets for youth through grade 12) are available for this event. Tickets are available by phone at 888-945-2468 or online at cfa.gmu.edu Note: There will be a pre-performance discussion with big-band arranger Bryan Kidd, who is in Residence with AFPO.