The Firelands Symphony Orchestra presents their annual patriotic pops concert on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m.” (Photo by Doug Klein/Firelands Photography)

HURON – The Firelands Symphony Orchestra (FSO) presents the second concert of their 2022-23 season with Bold Stripes & Bright Stars on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. at the newly renovated Sawmill Creek Convention Center. In celebration of Veterans Day, this patriotic pops concert will pay homage to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

This concert is made possible with generous funding from: Randolph J. & Estelle M. Dorn Foundation, Mylander Foundation, Buckeye Broadband, and Ohio Arts Council. General admission tickets are $30 at firelandssymphony.com/tickets or by calling the FSO office at 419-621-4800 (Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Season subscriptions are also still available for three or all four remaining orchestra concerts this season.

Sawmill Creek Resort serves as the temporary concert home for Firelands Symphony Orchestra. (Photo by Doug Klein/Firelands Photography)

Tickets for retired veterans and active-duty military are FREE for this concert, thanks to the generosity of the Mylander Foundation. Student tickets for youth are $5, as well as for college students with a valid student I.D. at the time of purchase. For these special ticket offers, please call the FSO office or claim at the door on the day of the event.

Carl Topilow, music director and conductor will lead the full orchestra in a concert for all ages. The annual patriotic pops concert is a favorite amongst the Firelands region and will be presented in honor of Veterans Day. The concert is dedicated to all veterans and current active military personnel as a thank you for their service and a reminder that freedom isn’t free.

The concert program will feature a mix of popular patriotic songs, musical theatre, and military favorites. Selections include pieces by John Williams, and Irving Berlin, Lee Greenwood, as well as musical theatre composers Claude-Michel Schönberg, George M. Cohan, and Richard Rogers. “The Firelands Symphony Orchestra is proud to be presenting its annual Veterans Day concert, as we salute members of our military organizations who work every day to protect us.  We welcome as our special guest the extraordinary baritone Bob McDonald, who served for many years as announcer, vocalist, and senior producer for the United States Army Chorus,” said Topilow.

Music director and conductor Carl Topilow has created a program of popular patriotic songs, musical theatre, and military favorites. (Photo by Doug Klein/Firelands Photography)

Sergeant Major (ret) Bob McDonald will be the guest vocalist for this patriotic pops concert. (Photo by Doug Klein/Firelands Photography)

Guest vocalist Sergeant Major Bob McDonald, recently retired from the U.S. Army, where he served as Group Leader and a member of the U.S. Army Chorus for over 26 years. In this capacity, he performed regularly at the White House and for visiting dignitaries from across the globe. McDonald is a regular fixture of Washington DC’s musical theatre and cabaret scene, and he has performed at such venues as The Kennedy Center and Signature Theatre, among others. McDonald has also performed regionally in many opera roles and with his popular Sinatra tribute show. McDonald is a familiar face to Washington Capitals fans, now in his 30th season of singing the hockey team’s National Anthem. He has also sung the National Anthem for many other professional sports events in the DC area and across the country, including the Super Bowl, and soloist for Game 5 of the 2019 World Series. McDonald received his B.A. in Vocal Performance and his M.A. in Opera Directing from Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

While the renovation of The Sandusky State Theatre is underway, Sawmill Creek will now serve as the temporary home for the FSO. Sawmill Creek Resort is located at 400 Sawmill Creek Drive W in Huron. When entering the site, attendees should follow signage for the conference center parking and entrance. Concessions will be available for purchase and are cashless.

The Firelands Symphony Orchestra (FSO) with Carl Topilow, Music Director and Conductor, is a non-profit regional arts organization sustained by strong community support and patron loyalty. The FSO mission is “enriching lives through music.” The organization achieves its mission by engaging audiences with outstanding live performances, cultivating appreciation for musical excellence through education and community engagement while maintaining high standards of organizational and financial stability. Visit www.firelandssymphony.com.