Fourth of July blowout Friday at Point Stadium

BY TOM LAVIS
The Tribune-Democrat

July 01, 2008 05:04 pm

— A celebration of liberty and the recognition of members of the armed services are the key ingredients of Johnstown’s annual Independence Day celebration Friday at Point Stadium.
The free concert, presented at 8 p.m. by the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, will be under the direction of Maestro Istvan Jaray.
Jaray speaks passionately about the patriotic concert because he knows what it’s like to live in a country ruled by an oppressive government.
Before becoming a U.S. citizen, the Hungarian-born Jaray grew up under the harshness of Communism and now respects the principles for which America stands.
“Even standing on the podium, my heart is bursting with the gratefulness for what our servicemen and women have sacrificed to guarantee our freedom,” said Jaray in a telephone interview from Hungary, where he was vacationing.
The extravaganza begins with patriotic works honoring the country’s armed forces.
As the orchestra plays each military branch’s anthem, Jaray will ask that each person who has served or is serving in that particular branch stand up and be recognized.
“It is one of the most awe-inspiring moments of the concert,” Jaray said. “The audience gets to see these people standing in their own ranks and show their appreciation with applause to honor these patriots who are their friends, family and neighbors.”
Two local vocalists will join the orchestra’s performances of patriotic, American, international and fun favorites.
Catherine Janisko, daughter of Jim and Roxanne Janisko of Johnstown, and Samuel Coco of Richland Township, director of the Johnstown Symphony Chorus, will provide vocals for several works during the evening.
“While the Fourth of July is a national celebration, it’s our duty, if not our obligation, to showcase the wonderful talents of local artists,” Jaray said.
Janisko, a mezzo-soprano, will sing the “Star Spangled Banner” and “The Wind Beneath My Wings.”
“She also will be leading the audience in a sing-along of ‘You Are My Sunshine,’ ” Jaray said.
Coco will read a poem titled “Freedom” as the orchestra plays the prayer portion of “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius.
He also will sing Lee Greenwood’s signature song, “God Bless the USA.”
This is the first time he will be stepping out from in front of the chorus to do a solo with the orchestra.
“It is such a meaningful song with the way the world is today,” Coco said. “No one should take freedom for granted, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the military personnel who are facing danger every day to preserve our way of life.”
Coco, who taught and conducted choral music for more than 34 years in the Forest Hills School District before retiring in 2007, is very familiar with the Greenwood song. As a member of the musical group Guitars Around, Coco, a tenor, said each of the group’s performances ended with that song.
“It evokes a lot of emotion,” Coco said.
Jaray said the orchestra also will honor the achievement of America’s Olympic athletes as they prepare to compete in Beijing, China, in August.
“There’s no better tribute than John Williams’ ‘Olympic Fanfare’ as our city joins in wishing these athletes nothing but the best,” Jaray said.
Several polkas are on the program, including the “July 4th Polka” and “Pennsylvania Polka.”
The audience will be asked to sing along to the patriotic sounds of “America the Beautiful,” “Yankee Doodle” and “God Bless America.”
A barrage of cannon fire from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in Johnstown will accompany the orchestra’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”
“Some people have questioned why we do the overture each year,” Jaray said.
“But once it starts and builds to the crescendo of the cannon fire, anyone in the audience who is not moved by this music doesn’t have a pulse.”
As the fireworks continue, the orchestra calls upon the genius of John Philips Sousa as marches such as “Stars ’n’ Stripes,” “Washington Post,” “Hands Across the Sea,” “El Capitan” and “Manhattan Beach” present a rousing backdrop to the festivities.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the War Memorial Arena.