The concert will celebrate the 375th anniversary of the city as well as Big Y World Class Markets' 75th anniversary.
View full sizeDonald D'Amour, Chairman and CEO of Big Y World Class Markets, left, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, and Kevin Rhodes, Springfield Symphony Orchestra music director, right, announce Tuesday at City Hall the upcoming "God Bless America" concert that will be held at Symphony Hall.SPRINGFIELD – A tribute to Dr. Seuss, military personnel and victims of Sept. 11, 2001, will all be part of the “God Bless America” concert to be held in September.
The musical and visual concert will primarily celebrate the 375th anniversary of the city as well as Big Y World Class Markets' 75th anniversary, said Maestro Kevin Rhodes, music director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
“We want this to be a program not just for the residents of Springfield, but of the residents,” he said. “In fact, we don’t just want this to be for the city, but for all of the residents of Pioneer Valley.”
The Springfield Symphony Chorus, the Children’s Chorus of Springfield, the Community Music School, the Extended Family Choir, baritone Vernon Hartman, Big Y employee and soprano Melissa Serra and WGBY public television station will participate in the event.
Rhodes will conduct as well as perform “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin on the piano.
“The idea started with Donald D’Amour when he realized the city was celebrating a milestone and so was his company,” Rhodes said.
Donald H. D’Amour, chief executive officer of Big Y, said he realizes the city has been through some hard times in the past few months, but he hopes the concert will be a celebration of the good things.
“Yes we had this terrible tragedy with the tornado, but we are moving forward with the help of the community,” he said.
D’Amour said Big Y donated $140,000 to the American Red Cross of Pioneer Valley for tornado relief.
“It was through the generosity of our customers and employees that we were able to provide this money,” he said.
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said the concert is a great way to celebrate the city and a loyal corporate sponsor.
Rhodes said there will be a video presentation created by WGBY showcasing the important moments in Springfield’s history. The concert will be held Sept. 9, just two days before the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“We didn’t want it to be on the same day, but we will certainly pay tribute to this watershed moment in our country’s history,” he said. The tribute will include the music of American composer William Schuman.