Jackson Symphony Orchestra to open grandstand shows at County Fair

Hold on to your programs because you won’t believe the new twists on this year’s Jackson Symphony Orchestra Summer Pops concert.

For three years the JSO has opened the Jackson County Fair, although this year a halftime show of “post-instrumental rock music” has been added for the specific entertainment of “young people.” In a recent contest, the local band If I Were the Sun won the honor of performing during intermission.

There are other new twists to the 2010 JSO/County Fair match-up, which begins at 7:30 p.m. August 8. Sure, the program will feature the expected patriotic music, but there will be an added theme of “where have I heard that cartoon music before?” said Maestro Stephen Osmond.

Barber of Seville Overture, Gioachino Rossini’s comic opera masterpiece, and Ride of the Valkyries, Richard Wagner’s well-known operatic battle march — featured in the 1957 Bugs Bunny animated cartoon — are among selections on the program.

“Bugs Bunny would be nowhere without the music of Rossini and Wagner,” Osmond said. “Go to You Tube and listen to What’s Opera Doc and Who Killed the Wabbit?”

Also on the program are the Jackson Chorale performing patriotic selections and hits from Richard Rodgers’ Broadway shows and guitar/piano player Steve Tucker, a member of the Gel Caps and Act III, performing Hallelujah from the sound track of the movie Shrek.

“The Jackson Chorale looks forward to once again putting on their red, white and blue clothes and joining the JSO for patriotic as well as Broadway show music on opening day of the fair,” said Chorale Director Wendy Treacher. The Jackson Chorale Children's Choir will also be performing and will join the Chorale on This Is My Country."

The disAbility Connection also will be honored on the occasion of the organization’s 85th anniversary.

$15 VIP tickets include parking, shuttle service to the fairgrounds, fair admission, concert performance, and a hot dog. For patrons who have already parked and paid admission to the fairgrounds, tickets to the concert are $5 each.

For tickets and information, please call 517-782-3221, 517-788-4405, or online.

Concert sponsors include Edward Surovell Realtors, Jackson Citizens for Economic Growth, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and National Endowment for the Arts. Jackson County Fair, Performance Underwriter.