Summer breezes will carry the sound of light classical and popular music when the Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra performs July 14 at the St. Johns City Park Performance Shell as part of the weekly Concert in the Park series. There is no admission for the concert that begins at 7 p.m.
The 60-piece, full symphony orchestra is comprised of musicians from Clinton and Shiawassee counties, and the greater Lansing and Flint areas. It was formed in 1985 to play at the inaugural St. Johns Mint Festival, and has expanded in the ensuing years to a full symphony orchestra with winds and percussion that attracts some of the area’s finest musicians.
The orchestra performs a variety of musical styles similar to a Boston Pops type of concert. Rodney Lamar Page, former orchestra director at St. Johns Public Schools, returns as conductor.
“I’m excited to be taking the podium again this year to conduct this outstanding orchestra,” Page says. “We’ve got another great program lined up of popular and light classical music that will have a wide audience appeal.”
Originally from Southfield, the talented musician and conductor has amazed and dazzled audiences for over 15 years with his unique and energetic performance style. The graduate of Michigan State University is a 2002 Fulbright recipient. He was director of orchestras in St. Johns from 2002-09.
Concert in the Park is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the city of St. Johns, with support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Concerts are held each Wednesday evening, beginning at 7 p.m., in the beautiful outdoor concert venue at the St. Johns City Park. The St. Johns Lions and Lioness Club staff a concession stand each week that offers light refreshments. All concerts are held rain or shine.
For information on Concert in the Park call the Clinton County Arts Council, (989) 224-2429, or visit www.clintoncountyarts.org or www.ci.saint-johns.mi.us