‘Star-Spangled Pops’ lifts spirits in San Diego

Celebrated conductor/composer Marvin Hamlisch serves as host of the "Star-Spangled Pops." (Photo courtesy of the San Diego Symphony)

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SDNN Arts & Entertainment

The recession blues, with its stay-home-and-save-money refrain, didn’t add any sour notes to the San Diego Symphony’s upbeat “Star-Spangled Pops with Marvin Hamlisch.”

A near-capacity crowd of approximately 2,700 concert-goers turned up on July 2 for the pleasingly patriotic Bridgepoint Education Summer Pops program that’s slated for repeats on July 3-4 at downtown’s Embarcadero Marina Park South. Pops fans seemed to be everywhere. At the little cabaret tables. In the grandstand. On the lawn. In the food court. Even on the bay, as when a sailboat came within ear-shot of the music.

“Is this the perfect night or is this the perfect night?” principal Pops conductor Marvin Hamlisch asked the audience.

There was no uncertainty about the answer, given the mild weather and gentle breeze that rustled the American flag near the stage and banners inside the concert shell. What made it even better was the encouraging news from San Diego Symphony executive director Edward B. Gill.

“For the eighth consecutive year,” he announced from the stage, “we have had ticket sale increases and — drumroll, please — for the 12^th consecutive year, a balanced budget.”

The program was balanced, too. The well-presented repertoire ranged from “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and selections by Grammy-winning banjoist Alison Brown and her quartet to songs performed by guest singers Melissa Chaty, Jarrod Fowler, the San Diego Master Chorale and St. Paul’s Cathedral Choristers.

All that was enough to attract both longtime Pops patrons and newcomers.

“I’ve just been dying for tonight to come,” admitted Arlene Quaccia, 74, of Los Cabos, who summers in San Diego and has subscribed to the Pops for the last 15 years. “The people are so friendly. I love the music. Marvin Hamlisch is special.”

First-timer Bryan Jensen, 17, was among the picnickers who sat a stone’s throw from the bay.

“I like the music. Being so close to the water is cool. And the screens are really helpful,” said the Murietta teen, referring to the large video screens on either side of the stage that showed live shots of the performers.

Though I’m still mourning the loss of the kettle corn stand, the food court offered a hot dogs-to-pizza menu while Wolfgang Puck Catering provided everything from Lobster Cobb Salad ($24) to Cookies and Brownie Bites ($5). Service was slow. So imagine my surprise when they kindly made up for it by bringing a second dessert plate (at no extra cost), which I shared with table-mates.

Grammy-winning banjo player Alison Brown made a positive impression at the Summer Pops. (Courtesy photo)

Onstage, Hamlisch was a thoroughly capable conductor for the ever-so-dependable orchestra. He was also a genial, chatty host. His jokes were occasionally out-of-date (it’s time to retire references to the Soviet Union) but he sure knew how to banter.

”I’m happy that there are children in the audience,” he quipped. “If they can stay awake, that would be wonderful. But I’m not going to take it personally.”

Highlights included bluegrass-flavored contributions by banjo virtuosa Brown and her ensemble and a scintillating rendition of Leroy Anderson’s “Bugler’s Holiday” featuring trumpeters Calvin Price, John MacFarren Wilds and Mike Thompson. (They even joked around with vuvuzelas, the noisy horns familiar to soccer fans.)

It was great to hear the Master Chorale’s experienced singers join the youthful Cathedral Choristers in “Freedom Is,” the resonant, a cappella hymn composed by Hamlisch, and in the stirring “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” which had an enormous flag as a backdrop.

Jarrod, the Navy Intelligence Specialist 1^st Class who’s a former “American Idol” contestant, returned to the Pops to sing his signature song, “God Bless the USA.” Though the key seemed a little high for him, he further confirmed his talent and likability by teaming with the exuberant Chaty (“Miss California 2007”) in “Lover.”

By the time the fireworks arrived, accompanied by Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” the “Star-Spangled Pops” had made spirits soar.

Event info

What: Bridgepoint Education Summer Pops 2010

When: Through September 5; concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., except on July 22-24, when they start at 8 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Where: Embarcadero Marina Park South, 206 Marina Park Way, downtown

How much: $17 to $100

Tickets/information: (619) 235-0804; www.sandiegosymphony.com

Valerie Scher is the SDNN Arts & Entertainment editor. You can reach her at valerie.scher(at)sdnn.com; follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/vscher

Tags: Alison Brown, Arlene Quaccia, balanced budget, Bridgepoint Education Summer Pops, Bryan Jensen, Calvin Price, Edward B. Gill, Embarcadero Marina Park South, executive director, information, Jarrod Fowler, John MacFarren Wilds, Los Cabos, Marvin Hamlisch, Melissa Chaty, Mike Thompson, murietta, Pops, review, San Diego Master Chorale, San Diego Symphony, SDNN, St. Pauls Cathedral Choristers, Summer Pops, tickets, Valerie, Valerie Scher, vuvuzela, Wolfgang Puck Catering

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