Free 'Music Of Liberty' Concert Coming To Morris Township

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — Morris Township will host a free patriotic concert July 7 at Ginty Field as part of the Morris Township Summer Gazebo Series.

The Hanover Wind Symphony will perform “The Music of Liberty” at 7 p.m. outdoors at Ginty Field, 50 Woodland Ave., in Morris Township. Organizers said the concert is a musical tribute to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The event is being promoted as a local way to celebrate the country’s founding in Morris County, home to Washington’s headquarters and Jockey Hollow. Attendees are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket for the outdoor performance.

“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' concert will have you humming along with patriotic favorites, together with songs that shaped our nation from its founding until now.”

According to the announcement, the program will include “Salute to the Armed Forces,” by Jari Villanueva; “America the Beautiful,” arranged by Carmen Dragon; “American Riversongs” by Pierre LaPlante; and “American Salute” by Morton Gould. The lineup also includes “American Spirit” by Dennis Eveland, “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” arranged by Peter Wilhousky, and “Chimes of Liberty” by Edwin Franko Goldman.

Other scheduled pieces are “Chester,” by William Billings, arranged by Jari Villanueva, with associate music director Ayden Khan conducting; “Concord” by Clare Grundman; “Fanfare 250” by Noah D. Taylor; “Irving Berlin’s Songs for America,” arranged by James Swearingen; “Land of Liberty” by John Wasson; and “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa.

The Hanover Wind Symphony describes itself as a community-based adult wind band and an extension of the American tradition of adult music performance. The group’s stated mission is bringing “music to people and people to music.” The ensemble is made up of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

The Hanover Wind Symphony has performed for more than 40 years. Its members are volunteers from a range of professions, including accountants, engineers, teachers, and executives. The group said members come together to share music with live audiences and help mentor the next generation of wind musicians.

More information about the Hanover Wind Symphony can be found online here.