Blank firing artillery needed for 1812 Overture

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37mm Gunner
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Blank firing artillery needed for 1812 Overture

Post by 37mm Gunner » Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:22 pm

DATE: July 9, 2014
CONTACT: Carl Kopecky
PHONE: 518 295-7192
EMAIL: director@schohariehistory.net
Calling All Artillerists
Schoharie, NY – The Schoharie County Historical Society is seeking historical artillery capable of
safely firing blank charges for a live performance of the 1812 Overture at the Stone Fort History
Fair on October 11, 2014. The History Fair is a biannual event celebrating history enthusiasts of all
time periods and areas of interest. In addition to the usual assortment of living historians, authors,
collectors, artisans and restorers, a special musical evening is planned for this, the Society's 125th
Anniversary. In keeping with the spirit of the event, the goal is to have cannons of three centuries,
18th, 19th and 20th, fire the sixteen shots in the musical score. Music will be performed by the 60-
piece Schoharie Valley Concert Band, and real church and school bells will also be rung at the
conclusion of the performance. A commemorative DVD of this unique event will also be produced.
Military re-enactors and owners of historical cannons are encouraged to contact the Old Stone Fort
Museum at 518-295-7192 or director@schohariehistory.net. for information on participating in this
unique event. Only pre-registered and approved guns may participate. Our Director of Artillery is
an experienced 18th-19th Century artillerist who has “conducted” guns for the 1812 Overture at the
Saratoga Performing Arts Center. There is limited funding available for transportation costs of
heavy equipment.
The 1812 Overture was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1880 to commemorate the
Russian victory over Napoleon, and was first performed in 1882. The first performance in the US
was conducted by the composer at Carnegie Hall in New York City (without cannons) in 1891.
Between those dates the Schoharie County Historical Society was incorporated in 1889. The free
outdoor concert at the History Fair begins with the Overture and includes Skip Parsons' Jazz Band
and the Burnt Hills Melody Makers – "from big bang to big band." The performances are made
possible, in part, with public funds from the Decentralization Program of the New York State
Council on the Arts, administered through the Community Arts Grants Program by the Greene
County Council on the Arts. Additional funding comes from the Schoharie County Occupancy Tax
Board, the Donna M. Lavigne Agency and Fenimore Asset Management, both of Cobleskill, NY.
The History Fair runs Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12, at the Old Stone Fort Museum, 145
Fort Road, Schoharie, NY. Daytime History Fair admission is $10 for adults, under 18 free. Visit
theoldstonefort.org or call 518-295-7192 for further information. The History Fair is part of the
greater Schoharie Valley's History and Harvest Weekend. Please visit Schoharie County – a better
time at http://www.upstatevacations.com or call 800-41-VISIT.
Ken C.

1942 Willys MB
37mm Anti-Tank Gun, demilled :(

Member
Central Jersey Military Motor Pool
Military Vehicle Preservation Association


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