July 8, 2004

From Elvis to Tchaikovsky

Fireworks, Symphony Silicon Valley rock San Jose crowd

By Bea Baechle
Staff Writer

More than 1,350 people celebrated the Fourth of July weekend at Lake Cunningham Park with picnics on the lawn followed by a rousing, family-friendly concert performed by the Symphony Silicon Valley orchestra. The sunset symphony’s program included popular classics such as Tchaikovsky’s famous “1812 Overture,” complete with cannons’ roars, and John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” accompanied by a dazzling fireworks display to top off the festive evening.

Between these works, international harmonic virtuoso Bonfiglio performed two concertos with the orchestra, one based on Stephen Foster’s songs and the second on Elvis! With free harmonicas distributed to the first 1,000 people arriving at the park, Bonfiglio led the audience on their harmonicas in an ensemble performance of “Mary had a little Lamb” backed by the full orchestra. San Jose’s own 15-year-old singing sensation Manuel Romero also sang a moving Americana medley that inspired many in the audience to proudly wave their American flags.

Said Symphony Director Andrew Bales of the evening, “The symphony and the local community appeared to have formed a perfect match. This holiday concert is destined to become a neighborhood tradition. We attracted a diverse and interested crowd who seemed to have a wonderful time. We could not have done it without the generous support of sponsors Wells Fargo and the Almaden Times Weekly.”

Evergreen residents Joyce and Bob Northey summed it up well in an e-mail sent to the Symphony Silicon Valley after the concert, “A big thank you! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the concert at Lake Cunningham. It was so nice to have an event in OUR NEIGHBORHOOD! It was a delightful evening, the symphony was wonderful as were the other entertainers. The harmonicas were a treat. Please work to do this again.”