 |
 |
     |
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Anniston Star, Hannah Dame, Special to the Star, 06-15-2008 |
||||||
| Rousing finale: 2008 Music at McClellan
season ends with a bang |
||||||
Music at McClellan had its largest consistent attendance numbers ever this year, committee co-chairman Josephine Ayers said Saturday. More than 1,000 people attended every concert, and the June 7 Abba concert was attended by more than 2,000 people. The final concert usually is the biggest, though, Ayers added. This year's final concert Saturday evening was titled "Classics Under the Stars," and featured work by such notable composers as Brahms and Tchaikovsky. While the count was not available late Saturday night, the audience was large and enthusiastic. Most eagerly awaited every year is the firing of the cannon during the finale of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. Working, authentic cannon are brought in and fired by teams of Civil War re-enactors. |
||||||
For many re-enactors, it's a way to reach out and teach some history. "Anything you can do to teach the public," re-enactor Beartooth Mayer said. Though the cannon firing has become an annual event, the concert venue will be changing slightly next year, according to Pete Conroy, Music at McClellan co-chairman. Conroy said for the 2009 season some Music at McClellan concerts will be held at McClellan's Monteith Amphitheatre. Conroy hopes residents will think of the new location as a gain instead of a loss, since some concerts still will be held at Longleaf Park.
As for any other changes in the 2009 McClellan schedule, Conroy said the committee will base its decisions on surveys of this year's attendees. Of the attendees interviewed, a general consensus emerged: Attendees would like an extension of the season and a more diverse musical selection. Second-time attendee Elfreid Jones noted that the cooler night climate helps bring people out. "People like to be outside," she said. Among the picnickers, it was hard to miss the table prepared by the Jacksonville Red Hat club — glass vases filled with bright red and purple flowers set beside three small glass votive candle holders. The club, decked out in red hats with purple accents, has made it a regular event to attend the final Music at McClellan concert as a group. Members said they enjoy the chance to get together and hear the music. Member Paula Hoffman noted the number of people she knew she had seen. "I guess they all notice me because I'm so tall," she said, laughing. To see the full Anniston Star Story, June 15, 2008>> |
||||||
Anniston Star, Nick Cenegy, Staff Writer, 06-07-2008 |
||||||
| 'ABBA' group to join ASO for concert at McClellan | ||||||
|
Tonight, Music at McClellan is playing host to a group christened "absolutely the best ABBA since ABBA" by the Official International ABBA Fan Club. It is a show titled "ABBA: The Hits" performed by the Swedish tribute band Waterloo — including four musicians who have played and recorded extensively with ABBA — accompanied by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. The event is anything but a retro occasion, said Pete Conroy, Music at McClellan co-chairman. |
 |
|||||
"With Mama Mia on Broadway and the movie opening very soon in theatres, it is as current as anything could be," he said.
Conroy said it was quite a coup to bring the act to Anniston. "If you just look at where they have been and where they are going after they play here, it is clear that they are a truly international act," he said. According to the show's Web site, the group has performed in several countries in Scandinavia, Europe, the Philippines, India, Japan, Canada and USA, in the past seven years. In preparation for the show, Music at McClellan even splurged on renting a $3,600 lighting package, Conroy said. The computer-driven, motorized, track lighting will accent the show in a way Music at McClellan has not been capable of before. "When we heard that is what ABBA requested, we added it," said Conroy. Portia Williams, director of communication for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra said the evening is destined to be a good time. "You just can't get any more fun than ABBA," she said. The orchestra warmed up with the group Friday at a performance in Birmingham, so they should be raring to go Saturday, Williams said. "We expect people to be dancing on their seats," she said — a bit tricky in an outdoor venue with lawn chairs. Tickets will be available at the McClellan box office the day of the show beginning at 2 p.m., Conroy said. Adult tickets are $25, ages 4-12 are $5, under age 4 are free. The concert area opens at 6 p.m., he said. Pre-ABBA entertainment will include Ron and Joel Anglin, two performers who worked with Cirque du Soleil. They will be juggling and performing tricks and magic, Conroy said. Jacksonville's own JaxPan Steel Drum Band also will perform prior to the main event, he said. To see the full Anniston Star Story, June 7, 2008>> |
||||||
| Harry Potter and friends visit McClellan | ||||||
Pull up a lawn chair and sit back at any Music at McClellan concert to take a look at the audience. While the words “orchestra” or “symphony” may conjure images of tired formality and old stuffiness, that isn’t what you’ll find in Longleaf Park. Music at McClellan has strived to provide a causal, family friendly atmosphere; a fact that was most apparent Saturday night during the “Harry Potter and Friends” concert. Fans of the popular book and movie series found plenty to spark their imaginations. Costumed characters of all ages enjoyed the evening at the base of the Choccolocco Mountains with members of the Dixie Hallows, a Harry Potter fan club. As if they were right out of a movie, Dan Spaulding of the Anniston Museum of National History arrived with several of his feathered owl friends, adding to the festive atmosphere. The music of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra began with a tribute to John Williams, celebrating the diversity of his compositions. The movie theme continued with works from ’Spiderman,' 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' and 'Lord of the Rings'. As the light faded from the sky, the music of the Harry Potter films filled the air. The music was complex, dramatic, and magical enough to create a dreamlike state for all those attending. In fact, reports of wizards, giants, ghosts and flying broomsticks are still being discussed. A simple glance around the park confirmed that it was an evening
for all ages as well as those who like a setting that’s both
classy and fun too. |
||||||
Anniston Star, Dan Whisenhunt, Staff Writer, 05-25-2008 |
||||||
| Music at McClellan 2008 opener draws bigger crowd | ||||||
|
Music at McClellan ignited its fifth season with a crowd-pleasing patriotic spectacle An estimated 1,000 people gathered in the shade of trees and at the feet of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. It was an increase of 300 from last year's opening, show organizers said. Pete Conroy, a member of the Joint Powers Authority redeveloping McClellan and chairman of the event committee, said high fuel prices may have kept people off the roads and on McClellan's lawn this Memorial Day weekend. As the Orchestra opened with "The Star Spangled Banner," everyone rose from their foldable lawn chairs and sang. Melissa Burton, who lives north of Jacksonville, decided to come to Music at McClellan for the first time this year. She said she enjoyed the friends, fellowship — and, of course, drinking wine. Carol Lorenzo of Saks had her share of that and a bottle of Jack Daniels as the centerpiece for her table. She introduced visiting relatives from California to the event. "Looking forward to Abba," she said, referencing the "Abba: The Hits" show planned for later in the season. David Walters and his wife, Jeannie, came to the show dressed in flag-patterned shirts. Walters was the Jacksonville State University band director for 30 years; his favorite is the last show, "Classics Under the Stars." "I think it's good for the public," he said of the series. Albert Tatton, a transplant to Anniston from Boston, said he went to every show last year. "It's good entertainment and a good night out," he said, holding a glass of cabernet. Anniston resident and Music at McClellan committee member Tom Potts said he likes the show "just to have a chance to come out under the stars." "It's a nice way to start the summer," Potts said as the Orchestra began its second number. To see the full Anniston Star Story, May 25, 2008>> |
||||||
Anniston Star, Alex Scarborough-Anderson, Staff Writer, 05-20-2008 |
||||||
| McClellan summer concert series set to strike a chord | ||||||
Music at McClellan is gearing up for its four-week concert series, The Longleaf Series, this Saturday at Longleaf Park. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra will kick off the opening weekend, performing "Stars and Stripes Pops" Saturday in a patriotic concert celebrating soldiers at home and away. Pete Conroy, Music at McClellan co-chairman, said he is excited
about the summer lineup of concerts coming to former Fort McClellan. |
 |
|||||
"We've been doing the concert for five years now and put on 17 shows," Conroy said. "We've worked out all the kinks and become a well-oiled machine that gives the audience a great time and a fun environment." The series will continue the following Saturday with "Harry Potter and Friends," featuring music from the Harry Potter movies. The Swedish cover band Waterloo, including several former members of ABBA, will perform with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra June 7. The two will team up to perform songs from the album, ABBA: The Hits, such as "Mama Mia," "Dancing Queen" and "Knowing Me, Knowing You." The Symphony is familiar with teaming up with popular rock bands, performing with Three Dog Night at McClellan in 2004. The Longleaf Series will close out June 14 as the Alabama Symphony Orchestra plays symphonic classics while Civil War reenactors perform. Bands, jugglers and mimes from the Community Actors Studio Theatre also are scheduled to perform during the four-week concert series. Coolers and picnic dinners are welcome on the grounds. Vendors will be on hand selling food and soda, while Anniston Water Works will sell bottled water. Picnic grounds open at 6 p.m. The concert begins at 8 p.m. "Picnicking and the community party beforehand is as good as the concert itself," Conroy said, emphasizing that many concert-goers bring comfortable chairs and blankets to the park. The 19th Hole at Cane Creek Golf Course will be open for sit-down or takeout dinner. To see the full Anniston Star Story, May 20, 2008>> |
||||||
| Music at McClellan announces 2008 Season | ||||||
| This spring, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will return to McClellan with a new concert series for 2008. The performances, on four consecutive Saturdays starting May 24th, offer a wide variety of classical and popular music in a unique outdoor setting in the heart of McClellan. With temperatures reminding us of Spring, Summer and Music at McClellan, we wanted to provide you with a quick update regarding our recent discussions with the ASO. The new Executive Director is Trey Devey and last month he and ASO Board member Gloria Moody, came over to meet with us to discuss the upcoming season. We are glad to report that they have not increased our costs and have provided us with a lineup that sounds reasonable and exciting. The season will begin on May 24th with the ASO and a selection of great patriotic music including the Libery Fanfare, Armed Forces Salute and Irving Berlin's A Symphonic Portrait. Duplicating the family friendly success of last year’s Star Wars theme, the second concert (May 31) will feature the FABULOUS music of John Williams from the Harry Potter movies. The third concert (June 7) will be a retro evening featuring the ASO and, get ready for this, ABBA: THE MUSIC! We expect that our supporters will come to see why ABBA is still selling 2 million records a year! Greatest hits from Sweden, including Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Waterloo, and others will be all ours for the evening. Voulez-vous! The final concert (June 14) will maintain our traditional cannon and more “Classics Under the Stars”. |
|
|||||
McClellan is becoming a center for the arts while providing excellent entertainment and educational opportunities for the region. Plans are to reach people that might not otherwise have the opportunity or exposure to these venues. A variety of musical styles in the four programs has something for everyone. It is a great way for people to introduce children to the arts and music; all are encouraged to come and experience "Music at McClellan". 4/10/2008 |
||||||
Visit the Music
at McClellan news archives
Site hosted by JSU's Environmental
Policy & Information Center
