Red, white and blue at the greenway

The East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Fourth of July pops concert Thursday night on the Collegedale Greenway.

This year's theme,"American Pride," is reflected in the five pieces on the program. After opening with John Williams' "Liberty Fanfare," the band will play Samuel Ward's "From Sea to Shining Sea," Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait," John Williams' "Hymn to the Fallen" and conclude with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture."

Conductor Richard Hickam said 60 musicians will be performing with the volunter orchestra. Rhonda Burnham, who recently moved to the area from Orlando, Fla., is the ETSO's new concertmaster, Hickam said.

The conductor said fireworks will begin during the conclusion of the overture signaling the finale's pyrotechnic show.

The concert doesn't start until 8 p.m., but music lovers will start filing onto the greenway with their lawn chairs and picnic baskets hours earlier. The Collegedale pops draws such a crowd to the greenway that the overflow fills the lawn of Ooltewah Middle School and all parking lots around Collegedale's well-known Four Corners intersection.

Even residents who don't attend the concert wait in the parking lot of Wal-Mart or retailers along Lee Highway in Ooltewah to enjoy the fireworks finale.

Hickam notes this is the first year since the Collegedale pops began that is isn't going head-to-head with the CSO's pops concert in Coolidge Park.

"I think so many people want to experience our event that this will draw more people to our concert, and I know I am interested in hearing the CSO on July 4," said the director.

IF YOU GO

* What: American Pride concert.

* When: 8 p.m. Thursday.

* Where: Collegedle Greenway at Veterans Memorial Park, Apison Pike.

* Admission: Free.

* Phone: 580-4999.

* Web site: www.etsomusic.org.