Composer Tribute Kicks Off Summer Rhapsody Music Festival

The Summer Rhapsody Music Festival kicked off Sunday, June 17, 2012 at Central Park Plaza with a concert featuring the works of John Williams, a composer noted for his popular film scores. http://valpolife.com/images/summer_rhapsody_2012-9

The concert honored the composer's 80th birthday with musical numbers performed by a 60-piece festival orchestra. Valparaiso High School music teacher Miguel Rosario directed the show with local musicians representing Valparaiso University, Northwest Indiana Symphony and many other organizations rounding out the orchestra.  Favorites from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter and Jaws were definite crowd pleasers.

Mayor Jon Costas welcomed everyone to the show and shared a special thank you to Dr. Michael Leland of Lakeshore Bone and Joint Institute. Dr. Leland has been a longtime friend of local parks and of the arts, and he and his wife have helped bring many events to downtown.

The Summer Rhapsody Music Festival is a series of 10 concerts held at Central Plaza Park. Admission to the concerts is free and everyone is invited to bring their own chairs and blankets for seating. Area food vendors offer great food and drink to make the evening complete. The following concerts are scheduled for the remainder of the summer:

•    Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band
June 20, 7 p.m.
•    Great Lakes Navy Band
June 23, 7 p.m.
•    Air National Guard Band
June 28, 7:30 p.m.
•    VHS Alumni Jazz Band
July 7, 7 p.m.
•    Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band
July 11, 7 p.m.
•    Valparaiso Middle Schools Concert
July 25, 7 p.m.
•    Northwest Indiana Suzuki Conservatory
July 29, 6:30 p.m.
•    Summer Rhapsody Festival Orchestra
Aug 18, 8 p.m. (VIP Seating Available)
•    Chicago Classic Brass
August 26, 6:30 p.m.

For more information on the Summer Rhapsody Music Festival, click here. To see pictures from the kick-off concert featuring the works of John Williams, click here.