Independence Day Spectacular! Concert
June 3, 2025 – The Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra's Saturday, June 28th concert, which also closes the ensemble's 20th Anniversary Season, will end with a literal bang. In fact, 16 of them.
The orchestra's outdoor concert location is a new one this year: the Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO) located just five miles north of the town of Oakhurst at 43803 Highway 41, Oakhurst (95366). It's also a magical one, with the orchestra performing in front of a small lake complete with massive fountain, and a variety of waterbirds adding to the beauty. Discounted advance-sale tickets for the 7:00 P.M. concert are strongly urged as ticket prices increase substantially at the door. Tickets may safely, securely be purchased by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/MYSO6-28-25. Full concert details as well as extensive program notes are available by visiting the orchestra's website at: http://MYSO.live. In the past, this concert has been presented on the great lawn of the Wawona Hotel in Yosemite, but due to that facility's indefinite closure for extensive renovations, this alternative site at ECCO presents a great acoustic and scenic alternative.
The MYSO Independence Day Spectacular! Concert at the Wawona Hotel, July 1, 2023 (photo credit: Christian Mueller)
In addition to many American patriotic pieces, the orchestra will offer all five of Sir Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" Marches. March #1 is ubiquitous, and especially so at this time of year as the go-to accompaniment for graduates. But its four additional companion pieces, composed over the period of three decades, are equally worthy of being heard. Elgar's "March of the Mogul Emperors" from his "Crown of India" pageant music is also on the program, a unique march not in the expected duple meter, but in three-four time.
ECCO performance area and seating (Les Marsden)
But the penultimate piece is the one which will present a real bang: Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," complete with authentic digitally-performed period cannons. The sound design is overseen and created by noted designer David Budries, using the same software he developed for the Boston Pops and Hartford (CT) Pops. How, when and why did a Russian piece composed in 1880 to commemorate the defeat of invading French forces during 1812 become a standard for American Independence Concerts? It's explained in the extensive concert notes by MYSO Founder/Conductor Les Marsden - available for free download, printing and/or reading at the orchestra's website.
ECCO audience members-to-be, waiting for the concert (Les Marsden)
Attendees are advised to bring flashlights and perhaps mosquito repellent for a very special concert in a glorious setting, outdoors and under the stars. There will be no more impressive or better way to celebrate the 249th anniversary of America's Independence than this staple of local annual concerts.
The Collaborative Arts and Culture Foundation is the 501 (C)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor for the Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra (EIN 27-2143755) and all tickets and donations to the MYSO are tax-deductible.
ECCO grounds map (credit Google Maps) 