An audience of over 1,000 patrons departed the most recent Lee’s Summit Symphony concert, many humming familiar tunes and raving about the quality and breadth of our local orchestra. The final concert of the season, titled “USO: A Symphonic Salute”, was equal parts nostalgia and patriotism. It was planned and conducted by Associate Conductor Kirt Mosier, who took the stage brandishing a bent golf club and introducing himself as “Bob Mosier Hope.”
After a few Hope-styled jokes, Mosier conducted the orchestra in big-band style arrangements including “In the Mood”, “S‘Wonderful” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” The audience enjoyed participating in “Pennsylvania 6-5000.” Most of the arrangements were by Bill Holcombe.
Other highlights of the evening included “Kalamazoo” featuring a women’s sextet, “Sing, Sing, Sing” with soloists from nearly every section of the orchestra, an amazing rendition of “Ya Got Trouble” by recent high school graduate Cooper Carr, and a surprise appearance by Co-Conductor Russ Berlin crooning “Fly Me to the Moon.”
The event included a Color Guard comprised of representatives of each branch of military service, and outside the Pavilion guests could tour a tiny home for homeless veterans provided by the Veterans Community Project. Displays included Quilts of Valor and photographs from the Historical Society of Lee’s Summit.
The 17th season of the Lee’s Summit Symphony will begin September 21st with “Intergalactic Reunion: A Return to the Mothership”, which will feature “homecoming” performances from Lee’s Summit R7 graduates who are not regular members of the orchestra.
Anyone who appreciates a wide variety of orchestral music is encouraged to “Experience the Sound” of the amazing Lee’s Summit Symphony.
(To learn more about the Lee’s Summit Symphony, visit www.lssymphony.org)
–Carol Rothwell
