Neighbors Enjoy Sounds By Sea Tribute

PASCAGOULA -- Ginger L. and her husband live close enough to Pascagoula's beach that they could sit on their porch and listen to the patriotic music wafting across the air from the annual Sounds by the Sea.

Songs of Freedom: People Flock to Hear Sounds by the Sea
The Mississippi Press/May 30, 2011

Still, the couple walked to the Memorial Day tribute held Sunday at Beach Park, where about 3,000 residents from across Jackson County and other cities in South Mississippi enjoyed the patriotic sounds honoring fallen members of the military.

That number was down from the estimated 5,000 yearly attendants, but enthusism was no less among the crowd that waved miniature flags and clapped in time to familiar songs in honor of each military branch.

Music, Fireworks Over Pascagoula Beach
The Sun Herald/May 30, 2011

"We pretty much come every year," she said. "Some years I've missed. We live close enough that we can walk. We like to bring the grandbaby."

Ginger said that she's been busy those years that they didn't attend the holiday concert, though they've never stayed at home to listen to the beachside event. However, many of her neighbors make the symphony concert a home event.

"When we were walking here some of our neigbhbors were sitting in lawn chairs," said Ginger. "While I was walking here it was loud and clear."

Thousands Gather in Pascagoula for Sounds by the Sea
WLOX-TV 13/May 29, 2011

The Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra sponsors Sounds by the Sea each year, 2011 marking the ninth year. Each year the Freedom Chorus of Pascagoula opens the concert held in Jackson County. David Knowles led the group.

This year, the pre-concert on Saturday was provided by the South Mississippi Gulf Coast Chorale and Coastal Vibrations from the Jeff Davis Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The concert was held at Centennial Plaza, former Veterans Administrations property.

During the concert, director John Strickler said that some people think of Memorial Day as just part of a three-day weekend. He said the Navy Hymn and Siempre Fidelis would inspire help residents to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for America.

"I think it's good for the families that did lose someone," said Ginger of Sounds by the Sea. "For the families it shows that they didn't just die in vain. Their memories live on forever."

Sounds By Sea Set May 29 at Beach Park

The Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra has scheduled its annual Memorial Day salute to the military this Saturday and Sunday.

The Jackson County segment of Sounds by the Sea 2011 has been set for Sunday, May 29, at Pascagoula Beach Park.

The pre-concert at 7 p.m. features the Freedom Chorus before the symphony orchestra begins its tribute at 7:30 p.m.

In Harrison County, the concert takes place Saturday, May 28, at the Centennial Plaza, which is the old Veterans Administration property in Gulfport.

In Gulfport, the pre-concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. with music from the South Mississippi Gulf Coast Civic Chorale; at 7 p.m. the Coastal Vibrations from the Jefferson Davis Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Commmunity College will provide their military tribute before the symphony ; 7 p.m. and symphonic music starts at 7:30 p.m.

Gates open at 6 p.m. at both Sounds by the Sea.

The pre-concerts and orchestra performances pay tribute to the memory and service of personnel in all American military branches, and are part of celebrations for the Memorial Day Weekend that begins Friday, May 27, and ends Monday, May 30, which happens to the actual date of the holiday.

The events are free to the public, but VIP seating is available for $300 per table, which seat eight people. The tables are limited. Interested residents should contact the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra at 228-896-4276.

According to information from the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce in Pascagoula, the Sounds by the Sea at the Beach Park will be broadcast live on AM 1580 WPMO and AM 1440 WVVG. The concert may be heard at http://www.talkradio1580.com/ live, or residents may use the link http://talkradio1580.com/2601.html.

Users of iPhones may go to the App Store and download the free app listed as Talk Radio 1580. Blackberry and Android users may download the free Tunein.com radio app and search for WPMO. The App Store will have Tune IN Radio.