Cherry Blossom Festival music brings international performances, honors military and local celebrities to Macon
Sounds from around the world come to Middle Georgia during the Music of Nations concert Tuesday at Wesleyan College's Porter Auditorium with free performances by the Middle Georgia Concert Band and the Sozo Children's Choir.
"The blossoms are very critical to the festival as everybody knows," said Cherry Blossom Festival President and CEO Jake Ferro. "But if you go back to the original theme when Carolyn Crayton began this years ago, it was love, beauty and international friendship. And what better way than music to bring people and cultures together?"
Wesleyan students dressed in traditional clothing from various countries will greet guests at the door, setting the tone for the performance.
The 50-piece Middle Georgia Concert Band will perform more than 10 songs from various countries and time periods: Irish "Danny Boy," Spanish "Amparito Roca," an Italian overture, a French piece and a collection of American patriotic songs.
"These are pieces that are very popular," Middle Georgia Concert Band president Dick Malone said. "A lot of times people will recognize that they have heard pieces in movies. They've heard them in symphonies. They've heard them on television."
Malone said international music is less foreign than most people think.
"You know America is made up of people from all of these areas," Malone said. "So we aren't playing from around the world, we are playing our music, really."
The Sozo Children's Chior will perform during intermission and another five times during the festival. Uganda, Japan and Taiwan are the festival's three featured countries this year.
"Uganda has over 2.5 million orphan children in the country, and it's unbelievable," Farro said. "I get choked up on it because it's extremely heart wrenching."
The choir includes 17 children ages 8-17 singing and dancing to reordered music and live African drums.
Jon Brennan is pastor of spiritual development with Sozo Children and says the choir's four-month tour is an opportunity share the organization's story.
"Yes, children are suffering, but here's a good story about a rescue that has occurred through God's love," Brennan said. "We want to give people something positive and to share the culture. They are wonderful, beautiful people. Their joy is huge. We can learn from them to find joy in the simple things."
Porter Auditorum also will host the festival's Military Tribute Concert featuring the Navy Band Southeast at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. This is the first time in four years that an official military band has been scheduled to perform at the festival.
"In the past, military bands were really, really well-received," Farro said. "Many tourists and elderly people attend. They really wanted to see uniforms and pay homage to the folks who are defending us."
The Music of Nations and Military Tribute Concert are both free, but tickets are required. Tickets can be picked up at the door or at Cherry Blossom Festival headquarters in the Pink House, 794 Cherry St., until Monday.
Also during this year's festival, local performers will bring distinctly American music to Central City Park.
Macon native Michelle Marshall transforms into the queen of rock 'n' roll during the "Ultimate Tina Turner Tribute" at 6 p.m. Sunday. Marshall has performed hits like "Proud Mary" and "What's Love Got To Do With It?" in Las Vegas and throughout North America for 17 years.
Last year's Cherry Blossom Festival princess Savannah Alday brings her contemporary blend of country, blues and Southern rock to the park 6 p.m. Friday.
Jan Thiese, the festival's royalty program director, says she will enjoy seeing Alday return to the festival this year.
"She's really very interested in making a career in music," Thiese said, "and she's well on her way."
Cherry Blossom Festival music events
Music of Nations: 6:30 March 29, Wesleyan College's Porter Auditorium. Free, tickets required.
Military Tribute Concert Featuring the Navy Band Southeast: 6:30 March 31, Wesleyan College's Porter Auditorium. Free, tickets required.
"Ultimate Tina Turner Tribute": 6-9 p.m. March 27, Central City Park's Coca-Cola Entertainment Stage. Admission into Central City Park is $5; nightly entertainment included with admission.
The Savannah Alday Band: 6-7:30 p.m. March 25, Central City Park's Coca-Cola Entertainment Stage. Admission into Central City Park is $5; nightly entertainment included with admission.
Get more information about each event at www.cherryblossom.com.
This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 6:43 PM with the headline "Cherry Blossom Festival music brings international performances, honors military and local celebrities to Macon."