- June 18, 2024
Pacific Symphony's SummerFest 2024 Presented by City of Hope Orange County Launches Season with July 4 Spectacular: Music of Chicago at Irvine's All-New Great Park Live Venue
Pacific Symphony begins an exciting new chapter in its history when the summer season launches with a Fourth of July Spectacular. The program showcases Brass Transit’s dynamic tribute to the music of the legendary band Chicago, along with patriotic tunes, a salute to the Armed Forces, and a dazzling fireworks finale. Richard Kaufman conducts the concert and invites you to kick off the summer season with a bang as the orchestra settles into its brand new summer home at Great Park Live located in the heart of Irvine.
Photos: https://bit.ly/psepk_july4chicago
Pacific Symphony begins an exciting new chapter in its history when the summer season launches with a Fourth of July Spectacular. The program showcases Brass Transit’s dynamic tribute to the music of the legendary band Chicago, along with patriotic tunes, a salute to the Armed Forces, and a dazzling fireworks finale. Richard Kaufman conducts the concert and invites you to kick off the summer season with a bang as the orchestra settles into its brand new summer home at Great Park Live located in the heart of Irvine.
While the location may be new, the Symphony continues to offer the same high-quality, exceptional summer experience, jam-packed with great music performed in the great outdoors. In fact, patrons can expect an even more comfortable and intimate experience at Great Park Live, nestled within a casual, inviting atmosphere. Warm, pleasant evenings, picnics overflowing with goodies, surrounded by family and friends, all remain part of the annual Symphony SummerFest experience.
Commenting on the upcoming season, Pacific Symphony President and CEO John Forsyte said, “SummerFest 2024 displays the versatility and virtuosity of a major orchestra that has performed in Carnegie Hall and internationally. From accompanying a rock band to performing a complex film score live to traditional classical music, this is a showcase of the talented musicians of Pacific Symphony.
Forsyte continued, “I want to extend my gratitude to the Irvine City Council for their support. We appreciate their commitment to enriching the cultural fabric of our community, and for providing a sanctuary where families can gather, and music and art can flourish. We are gratified for our continued partnership with City of Hope Orange County, our presenting sponsor for SummerFest. Their global leadership in cancer research and patient care resonates deeply with our belief in the transformative power of music, providing solace and upliftment to all.”
Subscriptions are still available for purchase and five-concert packages start at $295. With a variety of food and beverage options available for pre-concert dining—the evening is sure to sound and taste delicious! Convenient general parking is included in the price of admission. For more information or to purchase subscriptions or single tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.
Already have tickets and want to add on food? Call the Symphony box office at (714) 755-5799 and pre-order delicious boxed meals, appetizers, wine, and beverages by 24 Carrots with your tickets, available for convenient pickup at Great Park from 6 to 7:45 p.m. on the night of the concert. Preview Picnic Menu.
The Symphony continues in residence at Great Park Live during the 2024 SummerFest season for five exciting programs, from the July 4 opening concert through the closing Tchaikovsky Spectacular on Sept. 7. Read more about all the summer concerts in the series on PacificSymphony.org.
In addition to the generous presenting sponsorship of City of Hope Orange County, Pacific Symphony is grateful for media sponsors PBS SoCal, K-Earth 101, and LAist.
About Pacific Symphony
Pacific Symphony, under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Carl St.Clair since 1990, has been the resident orchestra of Orange County’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for over 15 years. Founded in 1978, the Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years and is not only a fixture of musical life in Southern California, but is also recognized as an outstanding ensemble making strides on both the national and international scenes. The orchestra presents more than 100 concerts and events each year and a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages.
Pacific Symphony made its debut at Carnegie Hall in 2018, where it was invited to perform as part of a yearlong celebration of composer Philip Glass' 80th birthday. The Symphony made its first-ever tour to China the same year, with performances in five cities, including Shanghai and Beijing. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras.
Pacific Symphony’s discography comprises 15 recordings, mostly of 20th- and 21st-century music by such American composers as William Bolcom, John Corigliano and Richard Danielpour. In 2012 for Naxos, St.Clair and the orchestra recorded Philip Glass’s The Passion of Ramakrishna, a Pacific Symphony commission that appeared on the Carnegie Hall program. The Symphony has also recorded for Harmonia Mundi, Koch International Classics, Reference Recordings, and Sony Classical, among other labels. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras. The Symphony’s education and community engagement activities have also been recognized by the League, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.
About Great Park Live
In February 2024, The City of Irvine City Council and the Great Park Board approved the setup and operation of the temporary Great Park amphitheater, Great Park Live. In October 2024, after the FivePoint Amphitheatre announced its closure, the City began working to develop a plan to be able to avoid a gap in the delivery of live music in Irvine. After reviewing multiple options, the City Council authorized the establishment of a temporary live music venue that can accommodate a crowd of 5,000 at the Great Park Sports Complex. The facility serves as the summer home for Pacific Symphony and will host other live entertainment acts for the summer concert seasons in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S. and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center at its core, City of Hope brings a uniquely integrated model to patients spanning cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and innovation initiatives. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM.
JULY 4 SPECTACULAR: MUSIC OF CHICAGO
Thursday, July 4, 2024 • 8 p.m. with fireworks
Pacific Symphony
Richard Kaufman, conductor
Brass Transit, Chicago Tribute & Cover Band
PROGRAM
JOHN WILLIAMS: Liberty Fanfare
EDWIN EUGENE BAGLEY: National Emblem March
JOHN STAFFORD SMITH: "The Star-Spangled Banner"
TRADITIONAL: "Yankee Doodle" Fife and Drum Play-Off
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA: Stars and Stripes Ballet Suite after Sousa: "Second Campaign"
JOHN WILLIAMS: March from Midway
VARIOUS: Military Medley
SAMUEL WARD: "America the Beautiful"
GEORGE M. COHAN: A George M. Cohan Overture
~ Intermission ~
The Music of Chicago with Brass Transit
Selections to be Announced from Stage
FIREWORKS
# # # #
Pacific Symphony begins an exciting new chapter in its history when the summer season launches with a Fourth of July Spectacular. The program showcases Brass Transit’s dynamic tribute to the music of the legendary band Chicago, along with patriotic tunes, a salute to the Armed Forces, and a dazzling fireworks finale. Richard Kaufman conducts the concert and invites you to kick off the summer season with a bang as the orchestra settles into its brand new summer home at Great Park Live located in the heart of Irvine.
While the location may be new, the Symphony continues to offer the same high-quality, exceptional summer experience, jam-packed with great music performed in the great outdoors. In fact, patrons can expect an even more comfortable and intimate experience at Great Park Live, nestled within a casual, inviting atmosphere. Warm, pleasant evenings, picnics overflowing with goodies, surrounded by family and friends, all remain part of the annual Symphony SummerFest experience.
Commenting on the upcoming season, Pacific Symphony President and CEO John Forsyte said, “SummerFest 2024 displays the versatility and virtuosity of a major orchestra that has performed in Carnegie Hall and internationally. From accompanying a rock band to performing a complex film score live to traditional classical music, this is a showcase of the talented musicians of Pacific Symphony.
Forsyte continued, “I want to extend my gratitude to the Irvine City Council for their support. We appreciate their commitment to enriching the cultural fabric of our community, and for providing a sanctuary where families can gather, and music and art can flourish. We are gratified for our continued partnership with City of Hope Orange County, our presenting sponsor for SummerFest. Their global leadership in cancer research and patient care resonates deeply with our belief in the transformative power of music, providing solace and upliftment to all.”
Subscriptions are still available for purchase and five-concert packages start at $295. With a variety of food and beverage options available for pre-concert dining—the evening is sure to sound and taste delicious! Convenient general parking is included in the price of admission. For more information or to purchase subscriptions or single tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.
Already have tickets and want to add on food? Call the Symphony box office at (714) 755-5799 and pre-order delicious boxed meals, appetizers, wine, and beverages by 24 Carrots with your tickets, available for convenient pickup at Great Park from 6 to 7:45 p.m. on the night of the concert. Preview Picnic Menu.
The Symphony continues in residence at Great Park Live during the 2024 SummerFest season for five exciting programs, from the July 4 opening concert through the closing Tchaikovsky Spectacular on Sept. 7. Read more about all the summer concerts in the series on PacificSymphony.org.
In addition to the generous presenting sponsorship of City of Hope Orange County, Pacific Symphony is grateful for media sponsors PBS SoCal, K-Earth 101, and LAist.
About Pacific Symphony
Pacific Symphony, under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Carl St.Clair since 1990, has been the resident orchestra of Orange County’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for over 15 years. Founded in 1978, the Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years and is not only a fixture of musical life in Southern California, but is also recognized as an outstanding ensemble making strides on both the national and international scenes. The orchestra presents more than 100 concerts and events each year and a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages.
Pacific Symphony made its debut at Carnegie Hall in 2018, where it was invited to perform as part of a yearlong celebration of composer Philip Glass' 80th birthday. The Symphony made its first-ever tour to China the same year, with performances in five cities, including Shanghai and Beijing. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras.
Pacific Symphony’s discography comprises 15 recordings, mostly of 20th- and 21st-century music by such American composers as William Bolcom, John Corigliano and Richard Danielpour. In 2012 for Naxos, St.Clair and the orchestra recorded Philip Glass’s The Passion of Ramakrishna, a Pacific Symphony commission that appeared on the Carnegie Hall program. The Symphony has also recorded for Harmonia Mundi, Koch International Classics, Reference Recordings, and Sony Classical, among other labels. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras. The Symphony’s education and community engagement activities have also been recognized by the League, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.
About Great Park Live
In February 2024, The City of Irvine City Council and the Great Park Board approved the setup and operation of the temporary Great Park amphitheater, Great Park Live. In October 2024, after the FivePoint Amphitheatre announced its closure, the City began working to develop a plan to be able to avoid a gap in the delivery of live music in Irvine. After reviewing multiple options, the City Council authorized the establishment of a temporary live music venue that can accommodate a crowd of 5,000 at the Great Park Sports Complex. The facility serves as the summer home for Pacific Symphony and will host other live entertainment acts for the summer concert seasons in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S. and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center at its core, City of Hope brings a uniquely integrated model to patients spanning cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and innovation initiatives. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM.
JULY 4 SPECTACULAR: MUSIC OF CHICAGO
Thursday, July 4, 2024 • 8 p.m. with fireworks
Pacific Symphony
Richard Kaufman, conductor
Brass Transit, Chicago Tribute & Cover Band
PROGRAM
JOHN WILLIAMS: Liberty Fanfare
EDWIN EUGENE BAGLEY: National Emblem March
JOHN STAFFORD SMITH: "The Star-Spangled Banner"
TRADITIONAL: "Yankee Doodle" Fife and Drum Play-Off
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA: Stars and Stripes Ballet Suite after Sousa: "Second Campaign"
JOHN WILLIAMS: March from Midway
VARIOUS: Military Medley
SAMUEL WARD: "America the Beautiful"
GEORGE M. COHAN: A George M. Cohan Overture
~ Intermission ~
The Music of Chicago with Brass Transit
Selections to be Announced from Stage
FIREWORKS
# # # #