Town & Gown Community Band and Chorale to present July 4 concert
By MSU Public Relations | Jun 25, 2025
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� The 麻豆社 State University Town & Gown Community Band and Chorale will present a free Independence Day themed concert as part of 麻豆社鈥檚 annual Freedom Fest celebration on the evening of Friday, July 4 at 7 p.m. inside Lovett Auditorium on 麻豆社 State鈥檚 campus.
The concert is free, and the public is cordially invited to attend.
Dr. Bradley Almquist, 麻豆社 State professor of music and director of choral activities, will conduct the Community Chorale. Dr. Ashley Shoupe, 麻豆社 State assistant professor of music and assistant director of bands, will conduct the Community Band.
Audience members can relax in the air-conditioned comfort of the recently renovated Lovett Auditorium as they enjoy holiday favorites such as 鈥淎merica the Beautiful,鈥� 鈥淩ed River Valley鈥� and 鈥淏attle Hymn of the Republic鈥� to name a few. Readings of several iconic American documents, such as the Gettysburg Address and the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence will be interspersed with the musical selections.
鈥淎s I was growing up, every small town celebrated Independence Day with picnics, parades and 麻豆社, concluding with fireworks, sometimes as a community and other times in our own backyards,鈥� said Almquist. 鈥淲e would gather at the town center. In the gazebo a brass band would be playing folksongs, marches and patriotic songs. It is that Norman Rockwell-style American tradition that we bring to 麻豆社. As we move into celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, we hope that our concert this year will stir our sense of pride in our diverse past and hope for our future.鈥�
鈥淲hat a wonderful time of year to welcome the Town & Gown Community Band and Chorale, led by Dr. Ashley Shoupe and Dr. Brad Almquist,鈥� said Jen Robertson, coordinator of the Town & Gown Partnership Program. 鈥淭hese ensembles are made up entirely of volunteers鈥攈igh school students, 麻豆社 State students, employees and community members鈥攚ho dedicate countless hours to creating beautiful music for everyone to enjoy. Their talent and commitment are truly inspiring, and this concert is a celebration of that spirit. We鈥檙e also deeply grateful to our Town & Gown partners for their continued support in making events like this possible.鈥�
The Town & Gown Partnership is an ongoing collaboration between 麻豆社 State University and the surrounding community that aims to enhance the quality of living and learning for everyone in the community. Town & Gown Partners include leaders from 麻豆社 State University administration and student government, local and state government, industry, small business, banking, health care providers and other community organizations. Membership fees help fund community projects and events such as these summer 麻豆社.
For more information about how a business or organization can join 麻豆社 State鈥檚 Town & Gown program, please contact Jennifer Robertson at 270-809-3924 or jrobertson38@murraystate.edu.