Past: An American Hero: USO Show

Jerry Ford, the Missouri Arts Council’s Individual Artist for 2017, and his Orchestra along with select Southeast Missouri State University students and community members will perform “An American Hero: USO Show” July 6 at Southeast’s River Campus.

The USO Show is being presented in the spirit of Independence Day and as a sendoff to support 30 Southeast Missouri State University students and faculty headed to perform “An American Hero” at the New York Music Festival (NYMF) later in July.

The evening will feature sounds of the Big Band era with Jerry Ford and his 12-piece orchestra performing ’40s music, including “Woodchopper’s Ball,” “String of Pearls,” “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” “Slow Boat to China,” “In the Mood,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “Sing Sing Sing (With a Swing)” — classics made famous by Louis Prima, Benny Goodman, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, The Andrew Sisters and Glenn Miller.

Three special numbers also will be performed with Jerry Ford and his Orchestra. Cape Girardeau native Brodrick Twiggs will perform the Ray Charles version of “America the Beautiful.” Clay Hahs will present “There Is Nothing Like A Dame” from Rodgers & Hammersteins’ “South Pacific,” and Tina Trickey will perform “I’m Gonna Get You on a Slowboat to China” by Frank Loesser.

Also highlighted in the July 6 USO Show will be selections from the Southeast produced “An American Hero,” including “Waiting on the Mailman,” “Tighten Your Bootstraps” and “Go Get Your Apron On.” In the spirit of the Fourth of July holiday, Jerry Ford and his Orchestra also will salute the branches of the military and perform patriotic selections such as “A Military Medley” and “God Bless America.”

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain Street, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling (573) 651-2265 or online at RiverCampus.org. Tickets for active military or veterans are $20. Proceeds will help support travel costs of the Southeast group to New York City. Those interested in helping send the Southeast students to the New York Music Festival also may make a donation online at https://impact.semo.edu/campaigns/musicalfestival/.