| An old Titusville tradition was brought back Friday night as more than 300 people packed into the YMCA gym for A Veterans Day Performance. It was small-town America on full display as members of several community groups came together to pay tribute to their friends and neighbors who served in the armed forces. The idea to reinstitute a Veterans Day program came after the Titusville Summer Theater had to cancel its annual performance for the third year since the start of COVID. “We still wanted to do something for the community. It’s been so long,” said Stephanie Cicero. She serves on the theater board, which sponsored the holiday performance and donated ticket sales to local veterans’ charities. |   |
She paired up with her dad, Steve Cicero, to spearhead the Veterans Day concert, which included a mix of music, history and radio clips from throughout the World War II era.
“The WWII music is just some great music,” Stephanie Cicero said of the setlist. It included patriotic standards like the “Star Spangled Banner”, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Armed Forces Salute” as well as a few vintage Christmas numbers and other 1940s war-inspired songs.
“The WWII music is just some great music,” Stephanie Cicero said of the setlist. It included patriotic standards like the “Star Spangled Banner”, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Armed Forces Salute” as well as a few vintage Christmas numbers and other 1940s war-inspired songs.
Between many of the numbers, Steve Cicero would narrate or play recordings from famous moments in WWII broadcast history.
It was a first-time event for the two. The younger Cicero moved to Titusville to teach music at Pleasantville and Hydetown elementary schools. The older Cicero is a retired history teacher who lives in Butler.
Though they might not have been around when Titusville held previous Veterans Day shows, they certainly had the backing of the town to make it happen this year as dozens of community members provided their talents to bring the Ciceros’ vision to life.
Though they might not have been around when Titusville held previous Veterans Day shows, they certainly had the backing of the town to make it happen this year as dozens of community members provided their talents to bring the Ciceros’ vision to life.
The Queen City Community Band, under the direction of Gregory Rock played four numbers and an ensemble of local singers lead by Stephania Cicero performed eight songs. Instructors from Bridge Studios offered up two Christmas tunes, local Scouts presented the flag and lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and students from Titusville High School sang one number and a few others danced to another.
And the audience did their part too. Nearly 300 people attended the show. The audience filled all the chairs set out around the tables decorated in red, white, and blue table clothes.
An overflow of folks, many dressed in their patriotic best, had to settle for seats in the stands off to the side of the room. The gymnasium echoed with applause between each song and it was a standing ovation at the end.
“We had no idea (what to expect),” Stepania Cicero said of the turnout. “We’re excited and thrilled we filled the gym.”
Story by Jill Harry
See more photos at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p787499573
Story by Jill Harry
See more photos at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p787499573
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