Shirley Tharp provided her own red, white and blue musical fireworks Friday in the Savannah Center.
Tharp, wearing an American flag blouse and red-sequined cowboy hat, stood center stage waving a baton before a sellout crowd, in front of nearly 130 musicians and 3 conductors. The Villager won a raffle to lead the three biggest Villages bands in their annual Independence Day “Patriotic Spectacular.”
Tharp loves music and came to the Holiday concerts for the past three years. Shirley always dreamed of going on stage to strike up the band and it finally came true.
You can see a video clip from the concert at the Villages-News.com Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagesNews?ref=hl
“I’ve been coming to these things for the past three years and I always buy a raffle ticket. This is the first time I won,” Tharp said after taking a bow and leading the big band through “The Washington Post” march by John Philip Sousa.
“It was awesome,” Tharp added.
The stage was filled with members of The Villages Concert Band, Jean Butler, director; The Villages New Horizons Band, Ward Green; and The Hometown Band, Hugh Wicks. Over the years the concerts have raised over $70,000 for The Fisher House of Tampa. It provides housing for families of wounded veterans who are hospitalized.
Tharp’s late husband, John L. Tharp, served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 32 years. “It’s honor to be here for John and all veterans,” Shirley said.
Was she nervous?
“I wasn’t worried,” she added. “I just got up there and faked it. These musicians are so good they made it look easy.”
The music was majestic and filled with patriotic holiday spirit. Each band director took turns conducting the combination orchestra. The sounds would switch from celebratory marching songs to emotional tributes to America’s veterans.
“This makes me feel like America is my home,” said Cecilia Farranto of The Villages. She came to America from Peru about eight years ago when she married her husband Sal. This year, Cecilia expects to become a U.S. citizen.
“I love American music because it makes me feel part of America,” Cecilia said. “I hear those songs and I see that flag and I know this is where I want to be – in America.”
“We both love this country,” Sal Farranto said. “This music and this holiday makes you think what America is all about.”
Among the most solemn numbers was “Hymn To The Fallen,” by John Williams. Jim Borad narrated stories and letters of fallen soldiers. Borad talked about the movie, “Saving Private Ryan” and ended with these words: “Have I lived a life worthy of their sacrifice?”
Another touching moment came with the playing of “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” which included orchestra members singing part of the song. The crowd, the first of two sellout audiences on Saturday for a pair of concerts, responded with a long, and sometimes tearful, standing ovation.
“I can always tell when a song is special because you stand for it and my wife is in tears,” said George Del Monte, master of ceremonies for the event. “That was very special.”
A singing group featuring Linda Quinn, Barb Mastny, John Rogerson and John Bird brought more reverence to “Thank You Soldiers.”
“I’m so thankful for the response and appreciation of the audience,” said Rogerson, an Air Force veteran. “They really gave us a boost with their patriotism and support. The Villages is a very patriotic place.”
The mood lightened for the “Fourth of July Polka.” The Travelin’ Shoes dancers – Ginny Amico, Linda Bitterly, Sandy Dunlap, Lynne Llafet, Lynn Lyons, Tom Lyons, Stanley Martin and Armando Ocampo – kicked up their heels across the stage to a polka beat.
The concert closed on a couple of high notes: “America The Beautiful” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
“This is such a great event,” Jean Butler said. “It’s my favorite concert of the year. It’s a time for everyone to get together and celebrate America.”
“For us, it’s a long day”, Ward Green said. “We start at 1:30 in the afternoon and finish, after the second concert, at 9 o’clock at night. It takes a lot out of all of us but its’ worth it.”
Hugh Wicks agreed.
“We’ve got about 130 people on stage and they’re all pulling together,” he said. “The same could be said for the people out there in the seats. It’s a meaningful holiday and the music makes it more meaningful.”