The colors were marched in and presented before the crowd, but the music and the mood were more joyous than solemn. What the heck — this is a fun country.
On the East Coast, Independence Day music celebrates the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and some very wise men in powdered wigs. In the West, we tend to celebrate the wide-open landscape in view around us. Theme music from The Big Country, by Jerome Moross, fit the bill perfectly with its sweeping, uplifting passages. Before that, of course, was the National Anthem, sung beautifully by our own County Commissioner Lynette Boggs-McDonald. Don't joke about politicians with wide-open mouths: remember, on American national holidays we tease only the French. After the lively "Bugler's Holiday" by Leroy Anderson (of "Sleigh Ride" fame), it was back to the West with Elmer Bernstein's Magnificent Seven theme. Nothing says "cowboy" like this piece. If you haven't seen the movie, get down to the video store. Until then, if anyone asks whether you've seen it, lie. "The Boy Who Could Fly," by Bruce Broughton, was a thematic piece with a dreamy, optimistic sound — a bit like ET, I suppose. Then, inevitably, the Philharmonic played "Armed Forces On Parade," a medley of five theme songs of the military services. We who had served were asked to stand during our theme and try to look modest while all the others wished they were us. I hate being modest. In celebration of our city's centennial, music had been commissioned especially for this concert. The "Centennial March," by Bernard Baskin, sounded a bit like the Air Force theme, but with a swinging 6/8 tempo that sounded like the Las Vegas Strip itself. Next came a "Salute to Old Blue Eyes," a medley of famous Sinatra tunes arranged by John Moss. Associate Conductor Dr. Richard McGee was conducting these pieces, and next came his own composition, the "Las Vegas Rhapsody," which followed the city through its history as a dusty frontier town, then a busy Air Corps base city, and today a bustling entertainment capital. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: no American holiday is complete without a tune about the French getting their derrieres kicked. After the dramatic musical fireworks of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, three marches from John Philip Sousa trumpeted proudly from the stage as the real pyrotechnics began above our heads. The folks at Zambelli Fireworks Internationale really know their stuff. On this day in 1998, the Las Vegas Philharmonic was born. The 2005-06 season begins September 17 with more American music, including Copland's Appalachian Spring. Visit www.UNLVtickets.com or call 702/895-2787. The Phil also performs September 23 at Lake Las Vegas with special guest Vanessa Williams; contact Ticketmaster at 866/564-4799 for this outdoor concert. Founding conductor and music director Harold Leighton Weller is stepping down from the podium after next season. He will be honored October 9, 2005 at a gala celebration hosted by the Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. If you would like to attend, contact Juliana at 702/233-1946. Seating is limited.  Did I fail to mention the singing of "America the Beautiful" just before the fireworks? This graceful song has become popular for public gatherings. It provides a graceful contrast to the pomp and bombast of the Star Spangled Banner, and its evocative lyrics fit well with our western-style landscape music. What the heck — this is a beautiful country.— Feature by Rob LaGrone, Las Vegas Jetsetters Magazine Entertainment Editor.    
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