Fanfare for the Common Man

Dreams do come true. For many residents of Auburn, on September 19th, a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon, a long recurring dream finally became reality. At just a touch past 4:30 in the afternoon, with the volunteer musicians of the Auburn Symphony seated on the restored Cooper Amphitheater in the 4.3 acre Auburn School Park Preserve, Maestro Michael Goodwin raised his conductor's baton and soon hundreds of residents sitting in lawn chairs under oak trees heard the melodious sound of Aaron Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man. Throughout the musical program, neighbors sang along, clapped their hands and tapped their feet. Barefooted children played in the newly restored creek. It was symphonic splendor.

Beginning the musical program with Copland's majestic Fanfare for the Common Man was perfect because the song conveys the can-do spirit that we see all the time in America and in our own community in Auburn.

For over a decade, dedicated residents and generous donors partnered with private foundations, the City of Auburn, state and federal agencies to purchase the 4.3 acre parcel behind City Hall from a local school district to turn it into the Auburn School Park Preserve. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, this beautiful setting was the site of annual musical festivals, Gold Rush Revivals, and school graduations. The community partnership raised millions of dollars to purchase the property, remove buildings and a warehouse, restore the old stone bridge and the 1930's era Cooper Amphitheater, create paths, remove a large underground water pipe and create a flowing creek and preserve three acres of oaks trees forever. An Eagle Scout is creating a community garden in the park. A service club has adopted the park to keep it clean and well-maintained.

The President of the Auburn Symphony Board noted in the music program that he hoped that the September 19th "inaugural concert will reintroduce to our community the longstanding marriage between musical happenings and the Auburn School Park Preserve." It has.

The fact that the volunteer Auburn Symphony is now entering its 22nd year is another tribute to the dedicated men and women in our community. How many cities have their own symphony? Not many. And yet, Auburn residents who consistently attend the concerts at the Placer High School Auditorium and donate funds have kept this valuable community asset going. There is something very special about the talented violinists, flutists, drummers, horn players and other musicians in the Symphony. The 2009-2010 program, consisting of classical works by Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, the Messiah Sing Along, Kinder Konzert, Music on the Green and so much more deserves our full support.

In the dynamic community of Auburn, people keep dreaming and working hard to make these new dreams become a reality. A group of dedicated men and women volunteers have been working hard to raise millions of dollars to fully restore the 1930's era State Theater in Downtown Auburn. A multi-colored marquee proudly announces the comeback of the State Theater. Plays and musical programs are now being held at the theater. And with our financial support, someday the Auburn Symphony will play at the State Theater. I can hardly wait!

Kevin Hanley serves on the Auburn City Council and as Chief Consultant on health and insurance legislation with the California Legislature. Send your comments to Kevin at commonsense@kevinhanley.org.