The South Shore Orchestra, under the direction of founder and music director Troy Webdell, presented a Veterans Day concert, “Symphonic Tribute: A Salute to Our Heroes,” at the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso, Indiana on Tuesday, November 11. The performance honored America’s veterans with a program of classic and contemporary American music and marked the 131st anniversary of the historic venue.
The concert, offered free of charge to veterans as a token of appreciation, represented the South Shore Orchestra’s commitment to fostering community through music and honoring the nation’s defenders. For Webdell, this performance was both a tribute and a call to recognize the service of America’s veterans.
“Our veterans are America’s greatest heroes,” he said. “Without them, we would not enjoy the freedoms that we do now.”
Among those featured was a mix of patriotic and iconic American music, including pieces like “The Star-Spangled Banner” and John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” alongside more contemporary selections like Theme from “Mission: Impossible” and the “Indiana premiere of Planet of Life” by composer Philip Glass. The concert also included Armed Forces Salute, “God Bless the USA,” and “March from 1941” by John Williams, balancing a traditional tribute with modern expressions of American resilience.
The Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso, Indiana has a rich legacy of honoring veterans. Originally known as Memorial Hall, the building was conceived by the Chaplain Brown Post No. 106 of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in collaboration with the Women’s Relief Corps (WRC), who raised the initial funds.
Designed by Charles F. Lembke and constructed by John D. Wilson & Son in 1893, Memorial Hall became the state’s first building dedicated to honoring Porter County’s Civil War veterans. Since then, it has served as a symbolic living memorial to the community’s servicemen and women. While its name evolved to Memorial Opera House in 1897, its mission has remained steadfast: to honor those who served through community engagement and the arts.
As the opera house reopened after a four-month renovation, veterans attending Monday’s Veterans Day concert experienced a powerful and striking return to this cherished space. For many, it was their first time seeing the new opera house, and they were overcome with appreciation.
As Webdell and the South Shore Orchestra performed, the concert hall was filled with both patriotic music and raw emotion. The powerful notes of each piece evoked memories of service and sacrifice, with several attendees visibly moved to tears. The mood in the room was deeply sentimental as veterans and community members shared in a heartfelt tribute to honor the sacrifices of past and present servicemen and women.
“America’s diverse creative output and artistry,” Webdell said.
He noted the importance of showcasing both the country’s cultural heritage and its spirit of resilience through these selections.
“Music is the universal language, and it is our responsibility as musicians to provide this music to our community to aid in the understanding of our veterans' sacrifices for our nation,” he said.
One highlight of the concert was the Indiana premiere of “Planet of Life,” a piece from Philip Glass’s “Life: A Journey Through Time,” dedicated to National Geographic photographer Frans Lanting.
“This piece honors the National Geographic Society, which has been an American staple of exploration and education for decades,” he said.
This dedication celebrated not only veterans but also pioneers in art, science, and exploration who contribute to the arts of our nation.
Webdell believes that the variety allowed people from all backgrounds to find something relatable and inspiring. He hoped the program would connect with each audience member, especially veterans, in a meaningful way.
As the Memorial Opera House celebrated its history on Veterans Day, the Symphonic Tribute concert was a deeply emotional dedication to both past and present heroes. Webdell and the South Shore Orchestra proudly welcomed the community to honor veterans and reflect on the importance of legacy through art.
To learn more about South Shore Orchestra, visit southshoreorchestra.org.