SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Macomb Symphony Orchestra will perform at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 15 at Stony Creek Metropark, 4300 Main Park Drive in Shelby Township.

The OSM and its 72 professional musicians will celebrate a new concert season in 2022-23 by giving the free “Songs of America” ​​outdoor concert at Eastwood Beach inside the park.

The “Songs of America” ​​will include popular compositions such as movie themes, traditional marches and a few surprises that the orchestra guarantees to entertain the whole family.

Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson will host the concert and Maestro Tom Cook, one of the orchestra’s founding members, will conduct it.

Cook had been the Music Director for many years, but the orchestra hired a new person to fill this role, making Cook the “Music Director Emeritus”.

He said some highlights might include “Bugler’s Holiday,” “Fanfare for the Common Man,” Scott Joplin’s “Ragtime Dance,” “Clarinet Candy,” and “American Salute.” The concert will end with “Stars and Stripes Forever”.

“It’s safe to say that Sousa’s ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ gets the crowd involved. ‘Sounds of America’ will showcase a great sample of American music and reflect American life,” he said.

He said there will be more concerts to come this fall, when the orchestra enters its 47th season in October.

“We’re at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, where tickets are available now,” he said.

John Smith, a member of the orchestra’s board of directors and a retired OSM musician, said he always had fun teaching music at Macomb Community College.

“The MSO is truly a gem in the greater Macomb area, and we hope we can continue to play great music for everyone in the future,” he said.

He said that he has always loved the OSM and, for several years, he has sat on the OSM’s board of directors. Smith is currently secretary of the board.

“The MSO has been around for decades and, despite everything from economic challenges to our current COVID crisis, it is still going strong, providing the community with wonderfully performed music of all genres and attracting listeners of all ages and all ages. horizons,” Smith says.

He said the orchestra continues to grow and the members are always excited to present a new season of performances for the Macomb community.

Admission to the Stony Creek concert is free with park admission. The orchestra said donations would be appreciated. Participants should bring blankets or garden chairs.

For more information, visit macombsymphony.org.