Firelands Symphony plans big free concert Sunday

SANDUSKY — It's hard to pack 200 years of history into one orchestra concert, but the Firelands Symphony Orchestra is doing its best.Orchestra officials are pulling out all of the stops to make Sunday's free concert in downtown Sandusky a memorable event.The concert, scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at the Sandusky Bay Pavilion in downtown Sandusky, will feature all of these elements:• The full orchestra, led by Carl Topilow, the orchestra's conductor and music director.• Singer/songwriter Dan May, a Sandusky native, as guest vocalist.• The Bicentennial Celebration Gospel Choir, led by Pastor Curtis L. Johnson Jr., including singers from about 10 Sandusky churches.• The marching bands of three high schools: Sandusky High School, Perkins High School and Sandusky Central Catholic Schools, about 150 musicians in all. • A wide range of music. • Big fireworks show at the conclusion, accompanied by the orchestra playing John Philip Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever.""We wanted it to be truly encompassing the entire community," said Laurie Korobkin, executive director of the Firelands Symphony Orchestra.With all of the different elements, it's arguably the biggest show the symphony ever has put on, she said. Topilow put together a show that celebrates Sandusky and refers to its history, Korobkin said.The concert will include "Boy with the Boot," composed by Sandusky native Joel Miller, several orchestral pieces, a few spirituals, some of Don May's originals and "Oliver!" from "Oliver Twist," in honor of Charles Dickens' visit to Sandusky.Other free summer shows by the orchestra have been in locations such as BGSU Firelands, so the orchestra is pleased to be able to perform in Sandusky, Korobkin said. Johnson said the choir is a group put together especially for the concert.The fireworks show will be sponsored by the city's Bicentennial Committee and will be provided by Sandusky native Steve Ernst of Ohio Pyro and Flame.Ernst has told the orchestra the fireworks show will be the largest put on in the city in more than 20 years and will be the first show done over the water, said Kelly Keller, marketing manager for the Firelands Symphony Orchestra.The Bicentennial Commission is a sponsor for the concert and the Lange Trust is a guest artist sponsor. The orchestra worked closely with the Maritime Museum and the Bicentennial Commission in planning the concert, Korobkin said.Want to Go?What: Free Firelands Symphony Orchestra concert.Where: Sandusky Bay Pavilion, at Meigs and Water streets.When: 7 p.m. Sunday, August 19.Details: Good weather is expected, but if it rains, the show will be canceled. Bring a lawn chair. Food trucks will be available for folks arriving early, and beer and wine also will be available.Maestro Carl Topilow leading the Firelands Symphony Orchestra. Firelands Symphony Orchestra is performing a free outdoor concert in Sandusky Sunday. Pastor Curtis Johnson Jr. preaches to the crowd gathered for Sandusky's Community Watch Party on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. Johnson will lead a gospel choir at Sunday's concert. Dan May, whose originally from Sandusky, is among one of several acts performing at the Sandusky Bicentennial Concert.