The MYSO at the Wawona Hotel - NPS Photo by Al Golub
June 21, 2024 – In a rarity anywhere much less in Yosemite National Park, an authentic Alphorn will echo through the woods and mountains during the Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra's free annual "Independence Day Spectacular!" Concert on Saturday, June 29th at 7:00 P.M. The orchestra will also feature a rousing tribute to Country and Cowboy music on the Wawona Hotel's Great Lawn with Special Guest Artists Tim Johnson and The Sierra Riders.
MYSO Principal Horn Ken Mackie with Alphorn - Ken Mackie
The concert's first half will include the world premiere of MYSO Principal Horn Ken Mackie's "Pastorale - All Is Well" for Alphorn and Orchestra. Mr. Mackie will perform the solo part on his own 14-foot-long wooden Alphorn. Other pieces will include Founder/Conductor Les Marsden's "Foster Child - a Fantasia on the Music of Stephen Foster," as well as traditional patriotic and American classics.
Tim Johnson and The Sierra Riders - Tim Johnson
Dr. Tim Johnson and Marsden first made music together more than 50 years ago when they were concertmaster and principal trumpet respectively of the Fresno Junior Philharmonic Orchestra and other symphony orchestras in Central California and have remained friends to this day. Johnson and The Sierra Riders will perform old favorites ranging from "Rawhide, "San Antonio Rose," and "Red River Valley" to "Back in the Saddle Again" as well as more contemporary hits including "The South's Gonna Do It Again" and "The Devil Went Down to - " a special place just for this concert. In addition to Johnson on vocals, fiddle and guitar, the Sierra Riders include Arnie Johnson on guitar and vocals, Peter Scaffidi on bass and vocals, and Mark Campos on drums, all backed by the MYSO under Marsden.
The concert requires no tickets but is first-come-first-seated. A $10 donation to help defray the orchestra's costs is requested, but any amount is welcome. The Wawona Hotel's famous BBQ will be offered from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Concert Saturday night, featuring a grilled barbecue entrée with unlimited side dishes and dessert; for more meal information visit https://www.travelyosemite.com/dining/wawona-hotel-dining-room. Yosemite National Park's reservation system will be in effect from 5:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., so concert attendees arriving after 4:00 P.M. will not require a reservation but will still need to pay the park entrance fee or gain entry with a pass. The MYSO appreciates its partnership with its major sponsor Yosemite Hospitality, LLC, a subsidiary of Aramark and Nick Sponaugle, Vice President of Operations. The orchestra has proudly partnered with Yosemite National Park since 2007.
Despite the name, the orchestra's "Independence Day Spectacular!" Concert is never actually held on July 4th in order that its musicians can enjoy the holiday with friends and family; the MYSO's "Indy" concert has been held on the Wawona Great Lawn since 2019. Full concert details as well as Marsden's extensive program notes are now available for reading or download on the orchestra's website: http://MYSO.live.
Source & photos: MYSO
