Musicians with the Wagon Wheel Symphony of the Lakes, pictured, will perform a free concert Saturday, July 1, in Winona Lake to celebrate the Fourth of July. Photo provided by Wagon Wheel Symphony of the Lakes.

News Release

WARSAW — The Wagon Wheel Symphony of the Lakes, under the direction of maestro Jason Luke Thompson, will take listeners on a musical American road trip at its free patriotic concert to be held 8 p.m. Saturday, July 1, at the Miller Sunset Pavilion on Park Avenue in Winona Lake.

This first-ever musical concert in the Miller Pavilion will feature traditional Sousa marches, music from film scores, patriotic favorites, and more. The orchestra will play in the pavilion, facing Winona Lake, and some seating will be provided. Patrons wishing to sit outside on the apron of the pavilion are encouraged to bring their own seating.

The July 1 concert is sponsored by a grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. As usual, the 8 p.m. concert will be followed by fireworks over Winona Lake beginning at about 10 p.m. or dusk.

About the “Salute to America Road Trip” program, conductor Thompson said, ”This year, I have programmed a musical road trip across America. We will start with John Kander’s ‘Theme from New York, New York’ and end up in Los Angeles with John Williams’ ‘Tribute to the Film Composer’ that cycles through snippets from 22 iconic movie themes. Along the way we will hear some Appalachian fiddling with music by Mark O’Connor, a medley of tunes by Indiana composer Cole Porter, and stop in Chicago with a medley of music from the classic musical named after the city.”

He continued, “We will stop in Iowa with James Horner’s music from ‘Field of Dreams’ and hear the majestic sounds of Ferde Grofé’s Grand Canyon Suite. As usual we will hear some patriotic favorites and honor those who have served in the various branches of the United States military.”

Comprised of approximately 100 contracted musicians, the Wagon Wheel Symphony of the Lakes performs a number of concerts each year as well as conducting the Young Artist Competition each winter. From symphonic classics to new programming, the Symphony of the Lakes is dedicated to bringing music lovers of all types together through its variety of programming and the talents of its musicians.

For more information, log onto https://wagonwheelcenter.org/programs/symphony-of-the-lakes/ or contact the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts at (574) 267-8041.