Northwest Festival Orchestra concert celebrates D-Day victory

The Northwest Festival Orchestra has announced a special commemorative concert "America Triumphant!" in remembrance of the 71st Anniversary of D-Day that will be on the day of the anniversary, Saturday June 6.

The orchestra of more than 60 people will be joined by members of the Northwest Chicago Symphony at Wright College for the performance, which will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Stahl Family Theater at St. Patrick High School, 5900 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

The Arlington Heights-based orchestra, under the baton of Dr. Verne Schwager, will perform a moving program of film music and other symphonic works for orchestra related to D-Day and other battles of the period.

"It promises to be a patriotic and celebratory affair," he said.

Veterans of World War II will be especially honored, he said, and a surprise musical tribute is planned.

Included will be selections from "A Bridge Too Far" (wherein the Polish brigade under General Sosabowski of Operation Market Garden will be honored), the march and theme from "The Longest Day," the "New England Triptych" by William Schuman and a suite drawn from the TV series "Victory at Sea" by Richard Rodgers.

Schwager said it proved a challenge to get the rights to play some of the music at the event, but he believes the results are "going to be remarkable."

Concertmaster Yuriy Geyer will be violin soloist for the Gallic "Poeme" by Ernest Chausson. Members of the St. Patrick High School chorus will join the orchestra and begin the program with a special arrangement of "America the Beautiful."

Tickets can be purchased at the door ($20 adult/$10 senior/$5 student), or in advance by calling (847) 392-9003.