Free community concerts mark an enduring musical legacy
Wherever Dr. Vernon Boushell happened to be, music would soon follow.
Boushell, who passed away in 2008, served the Brevard school district for 40 years, retiring as supervisor of music. With the aid of Grace, his wife of 66 years, he was also fond of organizing massive oratorios composed of 100 chorus members and large orchestras.
Daughter Sherry Boushell MacLean, herself a musical force in the county, remembers how her parents spearheaded a campaign of collecting S&H Green Stamps to purchase stringed instruments - violins, violas, cellos and bass violins - for every existing school, so any child who wanted to play could start with a quality instrument.
“I am not sure how long it took, but the goal was met and was the beginning of a great strings program countywide,” she said.
“As long as I can remember, music has been the fabric of our family.”
Boushell’s musical legacy continues with Riverside Presbyterian Church’s Dr. Vernon Boushell Concert Series, an annual series of free concerts. The series’ “Celebrate America” gets the audience prepared for Independence Day. The free event is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Jun. 30, at Riverside Presbyterian, 3400 N. Atlantic Ave. (A1A) in Cocoa Beach.
The series, which encompasses a wide variety of music, is named in Boushell’s memory for his efforts both as singer with the Riverside choir and his orchestration of classical oratorios, from Handel’s “Messiah” to Verdi’s “Requiem.” The series runs from October through June.
Past performers have included the Ditchfield Family Singers, a family musical group compared to the Von Trapp family of “Sound of Music” fame. The a capella family of singers tackles Broadway to Barbershop, patriotic to Doo-Wop, all with equal gusto. With the goal of uplifting souls through music, the series has also offered unique concerts such as Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass.” Originally named “Mass for Troubled Times,” the work was composed at a time of turmoil as Napoleon surged ahead in his conquests of Europe. It later was renamed to celebrate Nelson’s victory over Napoleon not long after the completion of the original composition.
For “Celebrate America,” Riverside will host the Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra and Chorus on a showcase of American heritage. Director Aaron Collins will lead the orchestra through their paces during the "Star Spangled Banner,” plus classics such as "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood and favorites like the beloved, "America the Beautiful." Included is Morton Gould's patriotic suite, “Fourth of July” and Frank Ticheli's “Blue Shades,” a jazzy tribute to the Big Band era. Among the many rousing patriotic numbers will be a salute to those who served in the United States Armed Forces; veterans will be asked to stand when their service song is played. Attendees can also count on "Hands Across the Sea" and "Washington Post" marches from The March King, John Philip Sousa. Rounding out the program is Christopher Marshall’s “Mendez,” inspired by the legendary trumpet virtuoso émigré, performed in the exciting style of Mexican folk music.
“These concerts are a powerful way to come together as a community and celebrate our great nation,” Collins said.
Concert goers are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to show their true colors.
The Riverside concert is an encore performance of the Saturday, June 29, orchestra concert at the Scott Center. While admission is free, tickets to “Celebrate America” at Riverside Presbyterian are required. Visit riversidepresbyterianchurch.org or call 321-783-6085.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Dr. Vernon Boushell Concert Series marks musical legacy