Bozeman Magazine

The Bozeman Symphony and Gallatin Empire Lions Club present the Festival of the Fourth at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman, Montana on July 4, 2017. The Bozeman Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Matthew Savery will perform an inspirational program of patriotic and popular music at 9:00 PM, leading into the traditional fireworks display at 10:30 PM. The concert and fireworks are FREE and open to the public. For over 20 years the Gallatin Empire Lions Club has presented the Festival of the Fourth, providing both entertainment and fireworks, free of charge, to the greater Bozeman community. This is the sixth year the Symphony and Lions Club have collaborated presenting the community event, attracting a mass audience from Southwest, Montana. The program of patriotic and popular favorites, presented by Maestro Matthew Savery and the Orchestra, will feature the work of American composers James Beckel, Morton Gould, Aaron Copland, John Williams, James Stephenson, Robert Wendel and more. A variety of musical themes will be presented throughout the evening beginning with the American Dream by James Beckel paying tribute to the freedoms of our country and the opportunities, dreams, and aspirations that can be achieved by any individual. It includes the hymn, “For the Beauty of the Earth” paying homage to the beauty, and wonderful natural resources of the United States of America. Liberty for All, another composition by Beckel, features narration borrowing texts from presidential speeches, with inspiration drawn from words by Washington, Lincoln and Kennedy. Variations on a Shaker Melody brings to life pioneer heritage and is reflected in the flowing theme of the popular “simple gifts” melody. The music of the great John Williams will be highlighted as the orchestra performs selections from the Star Wars feature films among many additional spectacular selections. The grandeur of Tchaikovsky’s famous 1812 Overture will be the concert’s 2017 finale. Support for the Festival of the Fourth comes from the Gilhousen Family Foundation, the Gianforte Family Foundation, Wells Fargo Bank, and the Gallatin Empire Lions Club. Please join the Symphony and Lions Club in thanking these businesses and individuals. For more information or general inquiries please contact the Bozeman Symphony at (406)585-9774 or info@bozemansymphony.org.