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An American Summer
Savannah Winds
Annual Patriotic Concert
And Barbecue Dinner
An "Ed and Friends" Concert Event
July 3, 2005

Savannah, GA -- June 14, 2005--The Armstrong Atlantic State University Department of Art, Music & Theatre (AASU AMT) opens its summer performance season, titled An American Summer, with a special event that honors America, her service men and women, and all veterans of the United States Armed Forces: the annual Savannah Winds Independence Day Patriotic Concert and Barbecue Dinner at the AASU Fine Arts Hall Auditorium on Sunday, July 3 at 3 p.m. This star-spangled performance salutes the countless courageous individuals, both past and present, who have sacrificed for Uncle Sam’s red, white, and blue. Ken & Candi’s Bar-B-Q continues its affiliation with the concert by providing a barbecue dinner immediately following the concert.

Mark. B. Johnson, principal conductor and music director of the Savannah Winds, has again programmed a concert that will honor veterans of the armed forces with a victorious musical parade of traditional American patriotic favorites. The tour de force program will commence with the presentation of our great nation’s colors, posted by members of the Air National Guard’s 165th airlift wing under the direction of Technical Sergeant William Burke while the ensemble performs our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. Other concert highlights include a performance of American Pageant by Thomas Knox, Harold Water’s march: Mr. U.S.A., and Savannah Winds’ time tested favorites: Lee Greenwood’s God Bless The USA and John Philip Sousa’s incomparable crowd pleasing march Stars and Stripes Forever.

WTOC’s Bill Cathcart returns for his second year as Master of Ceremonies for the Patriotic Concert. Cathcart, vice-president and general manager of WTOC-TV for the last thirteen years, is a longtime active member of the Savannah-Area Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Council. He is also a member of the West Point Society of Savannah Scholarship Committee, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum Board of Trustees, the USO Board, and a member and past secretary of the Rotary Club of Savannah.

As a testament to the commanding power of words set to music, The Savannah Winds perform with narration the awe-inspiring work I Am The Nation. This patriotic poem is set to a special wind ensemble arrangement of America the Beautiful and is a perennial Patriotic Concert audience favorite.

The presence and participation of various local military units in the full splendor and grandeur of their dress uniform attire will visually reinforce the permeating sense of patriotism surrounding this event.

During the concert, AASU AMT and the Savannah Winds will reiterate the vast importance of our freedom by recognizing retired United States Marine Jack R. Adams, the recipient of the 2004-2005 "Chatham County Veteran of the Year" award, as chosen last fall by the Chatham County Veterans Council. Adams, currently on the board of directors of Smart Senior at Candler/St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Volunteer Board of Savannah Hospice, will say a few words in acceptance of this award. United States Marine Corps Captain Robert Hawkins, Inspector-Instructor, 2nd Beach and Terminal Operations Company, will conduct the honors in recognizing Adams as the Veteran of the Year, and the Savannah Winds will perform Henry Fillmore’s His Honor March to pay Adams tribute.

Sing-Along… Amongst the many other tunes, the program includes: Let Freedom Ring; America the Beautiful, by Ward/arr. Dragon; James Barnes’ We The People March; and a local favorite Armed Forces Salute, by Bob Lowden. The audience will have their own opportunity to participate in this concert, when the Savannah Winds perform The Ultimate Patriotic Sing-Along, arranged by Jerry Brubaker. Brubaker’s medley contains The Battle Hymn of The Republic, America the Beautiful, You’re a Grand Old Flag, and God Bless America.

Barbecue Dinner… Due to popular demand, AASU decided to continue to offer the Post-Concert Barbecue Dinner. Ken & Candi’s Bar-B-Q will be on hand to provide a delicious barbecue dinner immediately following the concert and located in the air-conditioned indoor setting of the AASU Cafeteria, a very short walk from Fine Arts Hall. Ken & Candi’s barbecue dinner will consist of barbecue pork sandwich, baked beans, potato chips, and sweet or unsweetened tea.

Ed Caughran of "Ed & Friends" fame … The Annual Patriotic Concert originated as a cornerstone of the "Ed & Friends" concert series. The "Ed & Friends" tradition celebrates the numerous achievements of Ed Caughran, retired fine arts coordinator and music specialist for the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. For many years, Caughran was a major force in developing the music education programs in Savannah. He later served at AASU as special assistant for the instrumental and music education program at Armstrong Atlantic. AASU is proud to continue his legacy of musical support by presenting this annual patriotic concert. Above and beyond the impact that Caughran has made in the Savannah music education world, he and his family have made significant annual financial contributions toward the AASU Music Scholarship Fund in honor of J. Patrick Evans, M.D.

The Savannah Winds is an ensemble whose membership is comprised of AASU students as well as local musicians ranging in age from teenagers to players in their eighties. The ensemble has come to be regarded as Savannah’s premier community wind ensemble. It regularly performs patriotic, standard, and art music of the vast and rich wind ensemble repertoire.

Johnson’s conducting responsibilities at AASU include leading the Savannah Winds, the university wind ensemble, and various chamber ensembles. He also teaches conducting, music education courses, and he coordinates the wind and brass studies divisions. Johnson has completed post-graduate studies in band and orchestral conducting at the University of Kansas. He received his master’s of music degree in conducting and brass pedagogy from Louisiana State University and his bachelor’s of music education degree from Murray State University.

Tickets are on sale now! General admission concert tickets to the 2005 Savannah Winds Annual Patriotic Concert and Barbecue Dinner are on sale for only $12 in advance ($14 at the door), while senior citizens, military personnel, and children/students may purchase tickets for $8 each in advance ($10 at the door). Barbecue dinners are available for $7.50 per person.

Advance tickets may be purchased in person at the AASU AMT Box Office, located in the AASU Fine Arts Building. AASU AMT box office hours are 2-6 p.m., weekdays (cash or check only, please). To purchase advance concert and/or barbecue dinner tickets by mail, please send payment (cash or check only, please) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope, including a note indicating number of tickets at each price level and number of barbecue dinner tickets, to:
Savannah Winds Patriotic Concert and Barbecue Dinner Tickets
Department of Art, Music & Theatre
Armstrong Atlantic State University
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, Georgia 31419-1997-3 of 4-
Please make checks payable to AASU Department of Art, Music & Theatre.
Any remaining seats will be sold at the door.
All concert ticket proceeds and a portion of barbecue dinner sales benefit the AASU Music Scholarship Fund.
NEW SUMMER BOX OFFICE HOURS:
Call 927.5381 from 2-6 p.m. weekdays, for concert or departmental information.