3rd Annual
BLAST!
Starring Raúl Esparza
with
Symphony Orchestra Augusta
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation
Greensboro, GA
July 3, 2010
On July 3, 2010 OPAS presented BLAST!, starring Raúl Esparza to over 2000
revelers on the beautiful shoreline of Lake Oconee at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge,
Reynolds Plantation. Under the Miller-Brown/OPAS Orchestra Shell Raúl Esparza and
Symphony Orchestra Augusta treated attendees to a spell binding performance
of Broadway, popular and classical music.
Symphony Orchestra Augusta, under the musical direction of Shizuo Z Kuwahara, kicked off the
show with Independence Day favorites, Star Spangled Banner and Semper Fidelis March. All the
children, young and old, immediately recognized the orchestra’s next piece; Looney Tunes Overture.
That was not all, SOA continued to entertain with a masterful performance of Dance of the Hour,
Sabre Dance and Finlandia. This was just the beginning of the musical journey that all were about to
take. 
Raúl Esparza, Broadway’s hottest leading man, joined Symphony Orchestra
Augusta and captivated the audience immediately with Broadway favorites,
Younger than Springtime, Everybody Says Don’t and Begin the Beguine. With only the accompaniment of
the piano, played by Mary Mitchell Campbell, Raúl Esparza moved on to a exceptional arrangement of
America the Beautiful and The Old Red Hills of Home. Raúl too performed a piece specially chosen for the
children in attendance, Out There from the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Those in attendance
had no idea what was in store for them next when Raúl performed, what can only be described as
"Inspired," Georgia on My Mind which deservedly brought a standing ovation! As if it could not get any
better, Raúl took his performance to the next level when he sang Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.
Over the next 18 minutes OPAS, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge and all in
attendance celebrated Independence Day with a spectacular fireworks
display accompanied by Symphony Orchestra Augusta. As the fireworks
burst brilliantly over Lake Oconee the orchestra played
America the
Beautiful, the
1812 Overture (complete with cannon fire) and
Stars and
Stripes Forever.
