Never be afraid to try a new thing,” a wise man once said. Certainly the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society has its share of wisdom in presenting its first-ever “Pops” concert, as well as the inaugural “Pops in the Vineyard” fundraiser event on July 1.
“Pops” usually refers to orchestral music outside the classical tradition, usually composed within the last 150 years. Basically, it’s popular music from stage productions, films, and contemporary styles.
The Santa Maria Philharmonic is used to performing classical music under the guiding hands of Maestro and conductor John Farrer, but for this concert, Farrer and the orchestra will be performing “A Salute to America” in anticipation of the 4th of July.
“We have a 52-piece orchestra for this performance, which is just really outstanding,” said George Majoue, executive director for the Philharmonic Society. “You are going to be hearing some favorites by people from the 1800s all the way to the 1990s.”
The program packs the gusto expected of a patriotic concert with selections from Rodgers and Bennett, Aaron Copland, John Williams, and even John Phillip Sousa. As is often the case with pops music—and especially with anything by Sousa—the orchestra will have an expanded brass and woodwind section, a touch that’s sure to bring the fanfare feel.
“A lot of these songs are from World War II and were made in support of the troops,” Majoue said. “‘Victory at Sea’ by Rodgers and Bennett was for a several-part newsreel series that showed the victories overseas.”
Some selections were inspired by World War II, but composed recently. John Williams’ selection “Hymn to the Fallen” is from the soundtrack to the film Saving Private Ryan. The orchestra will also perform an arrangement of the “Armed Forces Salute.”
“During the arrangement of the ‘Armed Forces Salute,’ which recognizes each branch of the military, we are going to ask the veterans in the audience to stand and be recognized,” Majoue said.
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The event is going to be a barrel of delights. Set at the beautiful Tres Hermanas Winery, the outdoor concert will feature barbecue tri-tip and chicken plates, wine and beer tasting thanks to the winery, and even Doc Burnstein’s mobile ice cream parlor. All those coming to enjoy the event may bring a picnic lunch, but no alcoholic beverages will be allowed to be brought in.
The Philharmonic Society has also teamed up with SMOOTH Inc. to make getting to the event easier. The shuttle service will stop at two locations. First, shuttle No. 1 will stop at the SMAT bus stop at the Town Center mall on East Cook Street and leave at 12:15 p.m. Shuttle No. 2 will arrive at the Radisson Hotel next to the Santa Maria Airport on Skyway Drive and leave at noon.
This is going to be the inaugural “Pops at the Vineyard,” which will serve as a fundraiser event each year for the Philharmonic Society. The funds will go directly toward the rest of the concerts in the season, but also youth outreach.
“Our other focus is youth development,” Majoue said. “We are also working on getting a grant for building up the Santa Maria Youth Symphony, and it will give us some seed money to start the program and get in the schools.”
Every little bit helps, and the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society and Orchestra will continue providing quality live classical music to the Santa Maria Valley as long as there’s an audience for it. There will be several different selections for seating and amenities at the vineyard event, from table seating with dinner, drinks, and dessert to lawn seating—you can choose how much you want to support local orchestral music.
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Musicians alert
The fourth annual New Times Music Awards is rapidly approaching and so is the deadline for musicians to enter the contest. Entries into five different genre categories, as well as the songwriting competition and album of the year, are due by July 30 to the New Times office at 1010 Marsh St., SLO. Each entry costs $10.
Genre categories include country/Americana/folk, R&B/blues, rock/alternative, reggae/worldbeat, and hip hop. Each artist may submit up to three songs in the collected categories. Three songs may also be entered in the songwriting competition. A whole album can be entered as long as it was released between July 30, 2011, and July 30, 2012.
Each first-place winner for each musical genre is required to perform Sept. 6 at the New Times Music Awards show. Of the five performers, one will be chosen by a panel of judges to be the winner of the performance award.
Winners will receive the bronze Newtie Award, hand cast from Peace Bronze, a reclaimed and recycled metal from decommissioned weapons systems. Entry forms can be found in New Times and the Sun as well as online at newtimesslo.com and santamariasun.com.
Singing songcrafters
The Terrace Theater presents the first concert in what’s to become a regular concert series featuring local and traveling songwriters. The first concert features Jody Mulgrew joined by local favorites Stephen Styles and Dan Cressler for a songwriter-in-the-round-style concert on June 29 at 6 p.m. at the Terrace Theater, 1693 Mission Drive, Solvang. Cost is $35 (includes dinner). More info: 691-9137.
True Americana
Temple Beth El presents the bluegrass group the Wild River Ramblers as the featured performers for the temple’s celebration of the 4th of July with “BBQ & Bluegrass,” featuring hot dogs, tri-tip, and vegi-burgers on July 4 at 12:30 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 1501 E. Alvin Ave., Santa Maria. Cost is $12, $10 for members, $4 for kids. More info: 354-0480 or tbe1cassel@gmail.com.
Honkytonk fun
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including country music by Teddy Spanke and the Tex Pistols in concert June 29 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” featuring John Lyle is June 30 at 3 p.m. Foster and Friends perform R&B music June 30 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs.” The “One Big Night Concert with Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants” is July 5 at 8 p.m. for $5 at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jun 28 – Jul 5, 2012.
