Orchestra to open season with tribute to freedom

Selections include a salute to armed forces and Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture.’

special to the vindicator

WARREN — The Warren Philharmonic Orchestra will open its season Sept. 28 with “Celebration and Remembrance,” a special concert in honor of veterans and their families. Susan Davenny Wyner, music director, will conduct the orchestra.

The program pays tribute to those who have served, sacrificed or given their lives for America.

“We felt it was important to put aside politics at this time and remember the price of freedom that has been paid, not just by our leaders, but by the many unsung heroes among us whose acts of courage and sacrifice many of us do not even know about,” said Davenny Wyner.

Color guards and honor guards will be on duty. Veteran Herman K. Breuer, a recipient of a Purple Heart who is a service officer for the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission, will speak excerpts from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. A special Taps ceremony will be enacted at the conclusion of the concert.

The audience will be asked to stand during the orchestra’s special Armed Forces Salute.

“That way we can embrace them not only with our music but by the warmth of caring audience members all around them,” said Davenny Wyner.

The philharmonic will perform Barber’s “Adagio for Strings,” which was used in the Oliver Stone film “Platoon”; “The Light Cavalry Overture” by von Suppe; and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”

The philharmonic will also perform Schubert’s famous “Unfinished Symphony.”

“Since this concert is not meant to glorify war but rather to remind us of the price of freedom and our ideals, I felt that the Schubert — with its achingly beautiful melodies and deep yearning — could help express and embody the preciousness of each individual life,” said Davenny Wyner.

“I hope people will take time to come and help us honor these special heroes,” she continued. “Music can help draw us together and enter our deepest emotions and connections to another. This is an important time for us to celebrate our communality, rather than our differences.”

The remainder of the Warren Philharmonic’s season includes:

“Stories in Colors and Sounds!,” 3 p.m. Nov. 23, Packard Music Hall; a family concert that will include an instrumental “petting zoo” and artwork by schoolchildren.

“Swing into Spring: The Romance of Dance!,” 8 p.m. March 28, Packard Music Hall; a gala evening with special guest dancers.