What’s the holiday without some patriotic music?

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, an Independence Day celebration was not complete unless it included a concert in the park and a brass band. Members of Utah State University’s Alumni Band help keep that tradition alive with a special patriotic program Sunday, July 3. Concert time is 7 p.m. and the concert takes place outdoors – on the brow of the hill just south of Old Main.

The concert is free and those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or spread out blankets on the ground.

“We used to hold concerts in the amphitheatre but we found that at this time of the evening, the sun was very uncomfortable for the audience,” said Alumni Band director and conductor Nicholas Morrison. “It was just too hot and the sun was shining directly in the audiences’ eyes. That’s why we moved the concert to the top of the hill – it’s better for everyone and it’s still a lovely outdoor setting.”

Guest soloist for the evening is Eric Nelson, who is featured in the “Clarinet Concertino” by Weber. Nelson is a local music educator who has performed widely in the area as a soloist and also as a founding member of the Lightwood Duo, along with USU professor and guitarist Mike Christiansen. The Lightwood Duo will perform as the “Intermission Feature” at the July 3 concert as well.

The majority of the program features patriotic music, including the national anthem and the traditional July 4 favorite, Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.” The band will also perform a version of “America the Beautiful” and Morton Gould’s “American Salute,” a work that features the band’s bassoon section.

Morrison reminds concert visitors to bring their singing voices – they will be asked to join the band in several selections.

A number of construction projects affect the west side of the USU campus and parking availability. Those driving to the concert should enter campus from 400 North at the Merrill Library. Parking is available at the south side of Old Main. Foot traffic can arrive via the footpath up the southwest side of Old Main Hill. From the east, foot traffic can only approach the site from the east side of Old Main.

Following the July 3 concert, the Alumni Band has two remaining concerts on its schedule, July 17 and July 31. Those concerts return to Kent Concert Hall in the Chase Fine Arts Center. Concert time is 7 p.m.