Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with a Free Patriotic Concert 6/20 in Kinnelon

A rousing free concert of patriotic classics, performed by the renowned Hanover Wind Symphony, will infuse us all with pride in our country’s storied heritage and history. The concert, titled “The Music of Liberty,” will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, June 20, outside Kinnelon Town Hall, 130 Kinnelon Road, in Kinnelon. Rain date will be the following day, Sunday, June 21, at the same time and place. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket.

"Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of America with the Hanover Wind Symphony," says HWS music director and conductor Matthew Paterno. "Our spirited 'Music of Liberty' concertwill have you humming along with patriotic favorites, together with songs that shaped our nation from its founding until now."

Among the pieces to be performed are the following:

* "Salute to the Armed Forces," by Jari Villanueva

* "America the Beautiful," arranger Carmen Dragon

* "American Riversongs" by Pierre LaPlante

* "American Salute" by Morton Gould

* "American Spirit" by Dennis Eveland

* "Battle Hymn of the Republic," arranger Peter Wilhousky

* "Chester," by William Billings; arranger Jari Villanueva; with Ayden Khan, associate music director, conducting

* "Chimes of Liberty" by Edwin Franko Goldman

* "Concord" by Clare Grundman

* "Fanfare 250" by Noah D. Taylor

* "Irving Berlin's Songs for America" by Irving Berlin; arranger James Swearingen

* "Land of Liberty" by John Wasson

* "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa

The Hanover Wind Symphony is a unique extension of the great American tradition of adult music performance. One of only a handful of outstanding community-based adult wind bands in New Jersey, the Hanover Wind Symphony delights audiences of all ages by giving a contemporary twist to traditional favorites. The large orchestra, made up exclusively of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, embraces as its mission bringing “music to people and people to music.”

For more than 40 years, the Hanover Wind Symphony (HWS) has played to enthusiastic audiences. HWS members are volunteers who share a love for music and a passion for enriching the cultural fabric of the community with the thrill of live wind band performances. By day, HWS members are accountants, engineers, teachers and executives. They come together to connect musically with others, share the enjoyment of music with live audiences, and help mentor the next generation of wind musicians.

For further information about the Hanover Wind Symphony, visit hanoverwinds.org.