July 4th, 2017 by WCBC Radio

The Potomac Concert Band will highlight the festivities at Canal Place on the Fourth of July  with a program of patriotic and popular music. Under the direction of Jay Moon, and sponsored by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, the concert will start at 8 p.m. and continue until dusk, or whenever the fireworks begin.

The event is free and open to the public.

This year the band will again be joined by its annual visitor from the United Kingdom, James Slack. An accomplished baritone player, Slack has spent 10 of the past 12 years’ summer holidays in Cumberland. When asked about his choice of Cumberland as a vacation spot, he cites the clear weather, cycling with the Western Maryland Wheelmen, slot car racing in Ridgeley and the opportunity to play with the Potomac Concert Band.

Included in this year’s Independence Day concert will be a popular Carmen Dragon arrangement of “America the Beautiful,” “Armed Forces Salute” and several John Philip Sousa marches. They will also play “Normandy” by Claire Grundman, which relates the beauty of the countryside and its military history, as well as Jerry Bilik’s “American Variations” depicting America’s vast cultural heritage.

Visitors may want to bring their own lawn chairs to augment the seating in front of the stage and plan to stay at the venue to see the fireworks.