Salute To Freedom
July 4, 2025 / 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Independence Day with the South Bend Symphony on July 4 with our annual Salute to Freedom concert, a patriotic celebration that honors our nation’s independence with moving American favorites such as "American Salute", "God Bless America", 1812 Overture, and more with guest soloist Jennie Sophia and guest narrator Muffet McGraw, former Notre Dame women's basketball coach! This concert is free and open to the public! Tickets are required. Program Coming Soon Patron Firework Show Viewing Info After the concert, patrons are welcome to enjoy the City’s fireworks display, scheduled to begin between 9:30 and 9:40 p.m. Please keep in mind the following: Fireworks will be launched from the piers below Plaza Park. Due to nearby buildings, fireworks will not be visible from directly outside the Morris. Recommended viewing areas include: • The Colfax Bridge sidewalk • MLK Drive below Jon Hunt Plaza • Howard Park • Seitz Park Traffic & Safety: To ensure public safety, the Jefferson Street bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic from 9:00–10:30 p.m. Patrons should use designated walkways to safely access the viewing areas. ***Please note that the Symphony is not directly involved in the fireworks planning or schedule.*** About Jennie Sophia Jennie Sophia is thrilled to be joining SBSO for the Salute to Freedom concert. She has portrayed many iconic musical-theater heroines and sung in various concerts across the Midwest, from Fiona/Brigadoon (Goodman Theatre) and Nellie Forbush/South Pacific (Broadway national tour, also Ogunquit Playhouse) to Fantine/Les Misérables (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Laurey/Oklahoma! (Marriott Lincolnshire), Mrs. Potts/Beauty and The Beast (Paramount Theater), Guinevere/Camelot (Light Opera Works), and Lily/The Secret Garden (Court Theatre). At the Lyric Opera, she played Olga/The Merry Widow, starring Renee Fleming. At the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, she played Mistress/Passion. Jennie grew up in Goshen, IN, where she began her performance career at various regional theaters and concert venues. Among her leading roles at Wagon Wheel Theatre have been Maria/The Sound of Music, Madge/Picnic, Laurey/ Oklahoma!, Cinderella/Cinderella, ...
