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More than 1,000 enjoy concert

By BEN NELMS
bnelms@TheCitizenNews.com

There is nothing in metro Atlanta quite like Chattahoochee Hill Country. More than idyllic, more than teeming with greenspace, the setting late last week at Hutcheson Ferry Park came alive with the sights and sounds of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

More than 1,000 people made their way to the park, their trek from around the region rewarded by the rolling, green landscape positioned under blue skies and high flying cirrus clouds.

Hutcheson Ferry Park, imbedded in Chattahochee Hill Country at Hutcheson Ferry Road and Gravel Road west of Palmetto, was the perfect setting for the symphony’s free concert series and the first annual event for the Hill Country.The concert event was provided by Fulton County Arts Council, Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy, Fulton County Commission and Fulton County Parks and Recreation.

The concert included a varied program, conducted by Jere Flint, staff conductor and musical director for the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Some of the selections included Beethoven’s Movement I from Symphony No. 4, Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Henry Mancini’s Moon River, Dimitri Kabalevsky’s Overture to Colas Breugnon, Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Waltz from Sleeping Beauty and John Williams’ Overture to The Cowboys, Theme from Jurassic Park and his Star Wars Suite.

It is sometimes difficult to put into words the emotions drawn from experience, the emotions that pour forth as one stands witness to a precious moment, frozen in time. Wednesday was such an occasion for Chattahochee Hill Country Conservancy President Stacy Patton.

“What can I say? I’m so excited about this event,” Patton said, her face beaming. “With all the people here, it really shows us that the community appreciates having a beautiful park so close and that we can wonderful events like this. It’s the epitome of what we’re trying to do here.”

Others displayed their obvious agreement with those words. One of those was local resident Molcie Robinson Trimble, who reflected on the event and the intention of metro Atlanta’s hidden jewel.

“This is neat,” Trimble said smiling. “It’s good that people recognize South Fulton. And it gives Chattahochee Hill Country good exposure.”

Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards could not have agreed more. Edwards settled into a lawn chair and shed his jacket, listening to the sounds cascading across the rolling landscape. He was joined a few yards away by state Sen. Kasim Reed, resting on a blanket as the sights and sounds surrounded him. And there were others, many others. They came from Decatur, Atlanta, Clayton County and Newnan. They came from Sharpsburg and Christian City and from Senoia and Fairburn and Palmetto and, of course, from Chattahochee Hill Country. They came as families and friends, enjoying picinc dinners, conversation and relaxation. More than 1,000 watched and listened on, as day turned to twilight, the stars glistening overhead as music filled the air.