László Veres is tapping a trio of 11-year-old wünderkind musicians and a handful of audience members to celebrate Veterans Day.
And, yes, Veres, an Army veteran and longtime fixture in Tucson’s classical music scene, will be dressed as John Philip Sousa — one of his favorite muscians — when the volunteer Arizona Symphonic Winds perform Tchaikovsky’s “1812” Overture. The piece, and Veres’s outfit, have been a highlight at the past 30 Veterans Day concerts he and the Winds have performed.
Here’s what to expect at the 31st annual Veterans Day Concert on Sunday, Nov. 5. First the 411: The concert is at 2 p.m. Sunday at Catalina Foothills High School Auditorium, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
The young artists: cellists Naomi Turner and Sara Roland and violinist Joshua Tahi. All three performed with the volunteer Symphonic Winds over the summer and were such a hit that audience members begged Veres to bring them back. Consider this concert their encore.
The audience “artists”: Eight members of the audience will be invited to be the “canons” for that super dramatic passage in the “1812.” No pyrotechnics or canon-firing experience or musical prowess is required; just a desire to bang on a bass drum. Oh, and bring your earpugs; with eight bass drums, the pounding might be a bit much on your eardrums.
The music: The program includes several patriotic, military-themed odes including the “Star Spangled Banner,” “The Unknown Soldier,” “America the Beautiful” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” There’s also a trumpet duet with Kenny Shaufley and Andre Veres on “Il Silenzio”; a cello concerto with the two young cellists combining; and showpiece of “Czardas,” with the young violinist taking the solo lead.
