The University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra performed its eighth annual Independence Day Spectacular concert on Thursday, July 4. The concert and fireworks show was held in Stafford County’s Pratt Park.
The concert capped a full day of activities at downtown Frederickburg’s Heritage Festival. Last year, more than 6,000 people attended the event.
This year’s concert will include performances by the U.S. Marine Band from Quantico and actors from Riverside Dinner Theater. The Marine Band will perform from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and will be joined by the UMW Eagle Pipe Band and Philharmonic violinist Lavar Edmonds in a selection from “Riverdance.” The cast of “Les Miserables” from Riverside will perform songs from the musical at 7 p.m. The UMW Philharmonic, under the direction of conductor Kevin Bartram, will take the stage at 8 p.m. for patriotic music and crowd favorites. At approximately 9:15, the Philharmonic will kick off the fireworks show and will continue playing music to the display.
This year, the Philharmonic welcomed back Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron, a past Celebrity Series Artist and a contestant in UMW’s upcoming “Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars” event. Cameron’s songs, produced exclusively for her and the UMW Philharmonic, include “One Night Only” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Other featured songs include “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Over the Rainbow” and “God Bless the USA.”
