JournalStar.com

Grand Rapids Symphony premieres musical piece honoring Ford

By The Associated Press
Saturday, May 17, 2008 - 02:18:04 pm CDT
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Symphony has premiered a musical piece honoring former President Gerald R. Ford.

The Grand Rapids Press reports the symphony on Friday performed “One of Us, Portrait of a Humble Healer’’ by Grand Rapids composer David Culross. The debut at came during a “Patriotic Broadway’’ event.

The piece was commissioned by the symphony. Images of Ford were projected on screens during the performance.

Ford was born in Omaha but grew up in the Grand Rapids area. He died at age 93 on Dec. 26, 2006, at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He was laid to rest on the grounds of his presidential museum in Grand Rapids.