They did it! A new record set for piccolos

By Mary-Justine Lanyon

Piccoloist Kathleen Dyer of the San Bernardino Symphony had a goal: To break the world record for the number of piccoloists playing “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

And they did it! Piccolo players came from all over California and from as far away as Anchorage, Alaska, to perform at the symphony’s holiday concert, “America the Beautiful,” on July 6. They ranged in age from 13 to 87. 

The previous record, set in Dallas on July 4, 2016, was 189 piccoloists.

Last Saturday’s concert, held on the football field at San Bernardino Valley College, featured 192 piccoloists participating in the playing of John Philip Sousa’s famous patriotic song as fireworks were shot over the field, much to the delight of the large crowd.

“We did it!” exclaimed Maestro Anthony Parnther as he conducted both the symphony and the piccoloists gathered in front of the stage.