Macomb Symphony Orchestra to bring ‘Songs of America’ to Stony Creek Metropark

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Macomb Symphony Orchestra will be performing a concert at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 15, at Stony Creek Metropark, 4300 Main Park Drive in Shelby Township.

The MSO and its 72 professional musicians will be celebrating a new concert season in 2022-23 by performing the free “Songs of America” outdoor concert at Eastwood Beach inside the park.

The “Songs of America” will include popular compositions such as movie themes, traditional marches and some surprises that the orchestra guarantees will entertain the entire family.

Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson will host the concert, and maestro Tom Cook, one of the orchestra’s founding members, will conduct it.

Cook had been the music director for many years, but the orchestra has hired a new person to fill that role, making Cook the “music director emeritus.” 

He said some highlights might include  “Bugler’s Holiday,” “Fanfare for the Common Man,” Scott Joplin’s “Ragtime Dance,” “Clarinet Candy” and “American Salute.” The concert will conclude with “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

“It’s safe to say that Sousa’s ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ gets the crowd involved. ‘Sounds of America’ will feature a great cross section of American music and reflect American life,” he said.

He said there will be other concerts coming this fall, when the orchestra begins its 47th season in October.

“We are at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, where tickets are now available,” he said.

John Smith, who is an orchestra board member and a retired musician of the MSO, said he is still having fun teaching music courses at Macomb Community College.

“The MSO is truly a gem in the greater Macomb area, and we hope we can continue to perform great music for everyone in the future,” he said.

He said he has always loved the MSO, and for the past several years, he has been serving on the MSO Board of Directors. Smith is currently the board’s secretary. 

“The MSO has been around for decades and, in spite of everything from economic challenges to our ongoing COVID crisis, is still going strong, providing the community with wonderfully performed music of all genres and appealing to listeners of all age levels and backgrounds,” Smith said.

He said the orchestra continues to grow, and members are always excited to present a new season of performances for the Macomb community.

Admission to the Stony Creek concert is free with park admission. The orchestra stated that donations will be appreciated. Attendees should bring blankets or lawn chairs.

For more information, visit macombsymphony.org.