CSO salutes troops

Semper Fi, y'all! The Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the CSO Chorus had the large audience at Memminger Auditorium Friday night hooting and hollering, involved with hearts and minds in their "Armed Forces Salute."

As Director David Stahl began music that honored our military, servicemen stood proudly as a medley of the songs from each of their branches boomed across the hall.

The emotional power of the music inspired by the history of our country was clearly affecting. With burgeoning enthusiasm and fervor, the well-balanced orchestra and Rob Taylor's 75-member chorus presented music that, while familiar, never failed to bring chill bumps. The 19th century's "Battle Hymn of the Republic" brought down the house. From Martin Gould's "American Salute," a theme and variations based on "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," to the music that accompanied "Victory at Sea" -- TV's first mini-series in 1953 -- the sense of patriotism grew.

Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" garnered another ovation, as we were encouraged to join in. "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "Over There," both by the inimitable George M. Cohan, were lustily played in the American flag-draped setting.

A bit of our own Earl Mays' arrangements, Sousa's marches, John Williams' "Hymn to the Fallen" from "Saving Private Ryan" could serve only to remind us all of "America the Beautiful." As one veteran quipped, "Where do I sign up?"