Oregon Symphony Waterfront Concert Will Return With New Pandemic Precautions

Portland, OR. Oregon Symphony is bringing back a favorite end-of-summer celebration: the free Waterfront Concert and Festival. The festival begins at 1 PM on September 4th at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. It will also include an Oregon Ballet Theatre performance of the Grand Pas de Deux from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, as well as a selection from Kern and Bennett’s Showboat featuring Portland Opera vocalists. As a pandemic precaution, the Oregon Symphony will require, upon entry to the park, proof of full vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test result. (Above is a photo from the concert in 2015.)

The citywide celebration features new Music Director David Danzmayr conducting the Oregon Symphony, and an entertainment lineup that spotlights Portland’s unique and diverse artists and community partners.

Carlos Kalmar, Music Director Laureate, has conducted the concert in the past and will be on hand this year as he passes the baton to new the Music Director, David Danzmayr.

The Oregon Symphony begins its long-awaited performance at 7 PM with an exciting program that includes music featured in popular films (highlights from John Williams’ powerful score to Star Wars) to masterworks from iconic composers (Beethoven’s second movement from Symphony No. 7) and classical favorites (Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March).

The concert culminates with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, complete with cannon fire from the Oregon Army National Guard and a fireworks display over the Willamette River to conclude the memorable musical event. Audiences around the world will be able to listen to the live broadcast of the concert on All Classical Portland (KQAC 89.9 FM and at www.allclassical.org).

This free festival begins at 1 PM on September 4 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland with performances from acclaimed local artists and community partners such as Darrell Grant’s PDX Jazz Masters Trio, Portland Taiko, singer-songwriter Saeeda Wright, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Corazones Alegres Ballet Folklórico, Chris Pureka, Joaquin Lopez with harpist Antonio Centurion, and more. The Oregon Symphony then takes the stage from 7 to 9:30 PM.

Concert Program – Click here for complete program

Liszt: Mephisto Waltz No. 1
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7, Movement 2
Arturo Márquez: Danzón No. 2
Kern/R.R. Bennett: Selections from Showboat
John Williams: Selections from Star Wars
Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1
Tchaikovsky: Grand Pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty
Johann Strauss, Sr.: Tritsch-Tratsch Polka
Alford: Colonel Bogey Marcy
Elgar: “Nimrod” from Enigma Variations
Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture
Local Artists’ Programs to be Announced at the Festival

Artists

The Oregon Symphony, in consultation with the Multnomah County Department of Health, has undertaken modifications to comply with current health and safety guidance. Again, the Oregon Symphony will require upon entry to the park a proof of full vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test, to attend the Waterfront Concert and Festival. Full vaccination is defined as completion of the two-dose regimen of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine administered two weeks or more in advance of the concert. A negative COVID-19 test must be taken not more than 72 hours before the concert. A face covering is required while attending the Waterfront Concert and Festival. Face coverings must completely cover the nose and mouth and have ear loops, or similar, to hold in place. Gaiters and bandanas are not acceptable. Face coverings must be worn at all times except while eating, drinking, or taking oral medications for brief periods.

Concertgoers are asked to bring only low-profile chairs or blankets for seating in order to preserve sight lines for those behind them. Alcohol beverages are not allowed in Tom McCall Waterfront Park pursuant to the Oregon Symphony’s permit with the City of Portland.