'Summer Pops at Downing — An American Salute' is July 23

Newburgh — The Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra will present its free “Summer Pops At Downing — An American Salute,” on Saturday, July 23 at 4 p.m. at Downing Park in Newburgh. Conducting is Rick Regan, the orchestra’s principal trombonist, who teaches brass and percussion and conducts the Monroe-Woodbury High School’s Wind Ensemble. The event includes participation from “Mini Maestros,” children in the audience who are invited to take a turn at conducting the orchestra in the Washington Post March following a brief lesson. Also participating is soprano Jody Weatherstone, a frequent guest soloist with the Classic Choral Society. She is the soprano soloist at St. Mary’s church in Tuxedo Park and maintains a private voice studio in Warwick. Weatherstone is currently collaborating with jazz pianist and composer Richard Kimball on a program of works by Barber, Bernstein, and Kimball to be performed in October at the Lycian Theatre in Sugar Loaf. Additionally, bass-baritone Erich Tusch will also appear. Tusch has performed with the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra as “the bass soloist 9” and at the 2010 Summer Pops concert. Most recently, he appeared as the bass soloist in Handel’s Messiah at West Point. He is also director of music for St. Patrick’s Church in Highland Mills, where he conducts the adult and youth choirs and its youth orchestra. Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Call 913-7157 or go visit www.newburghsymphony.org for more information.