The classical music calendar features two patriotic concerts by the Allentown Band in recognition of \u201cFlag Day\u201d and The Bach Choir of Bethlehem presented \u201cLet Freedom Sing,\u201d celebrating America\u2019s 250th birthday, at Coca-Cola Park, Allentown.<\/p>\n
The Allentown Band presents \u201cVeterans Salute and Flag Day Concert,\u201d 1:30 p.m. June 6, Musikfest Caf\u00e9, ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, Bethlehem.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Allentown Band is honored to be returning for the 19th year to perform Embassy Bank\u2019s annual concert honoring veterans and Flag Day,\u201d says Ronald Demkee, Allentown Band Conductor.<\/p>\n
The concert presents music to recognize American participation in military conflicts, including the American Revolutionary War: \u201cYankee Doodle Variations,\u201d by Morton Gould; American Civil War: \u201cBattle Hymn of the Republic,\u201d arranged by Peter Wilhousky, and World War II: \u201cVictory at Sea,\u201d by Robert Russell Bennett, and \u201cMidway March,\u201d by John Williams.<\/p>\n
There are songs to honor those who served or are serving in the United States military, such as the \u201cArmed Forces Salute,\u201d and marches that reflect the pride and patriotic spirit which characterize America, including Henry Filmore\u2019s \u201cAmericans We,\u201d E.E. Bagley\u2019s \u201cNational Emblem March\u201d and John Philip Sousa\u2019s \u201cThe Stars and Stripes Forever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Says Demkee, \u201cIt\u2019s always inspiring to see the community gather together in such a positive way, especially so on this, the 250th anniversary year celebrating America.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVeterans Salute and Flag Day Concert,\u201d Allentown Band, 1:30 p.m. June 6, Musikfest Caf\u00e9, ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. Free. Information: https:\/\/allentownband.com\/event\/veterans-salute-and-flag-day\/<\/p>\n
The Allentown Band presents its \u201cAnnual Flag Day Concert, 3 p.m. June 14, Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Allentown Flag Day Association (AFDA) celebrates its 119th year and is proud to be the oldest incorporated Flag Day Association in the United States,\u201d says Ann Wertman, Secretary-Treasurer, Allentown Flag Day Association.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd 2026 marks the band\u2019s 109th year playing for the AFDA\u2019s annual Flag Day program,\u201d adds Ronald Demkee, Allentown Band Conductor.<\/p>\n
The Allentown Band opens the event with the prelude selections, \u201cAmericans We,\u201d \u201cConcord Overture\u201d and \u201cNational Emblem March.\u201d<\/p>\n
Master of Ceremonies Major General Gerald Still (Retired) will provide opening remarks.<\/p>\n
Robert Sedlock will perform the bugle call followed by the entrance of the color guard from VFW Post 7293, Egypt, Whitehall Township.<\/p>\n
The invocation will be given by the Rev. Jane Matsinger of St. James United Church of Christ, Allentown.<\/p>\n
Vocal soloist Evelyn Stewart will lead the recitation of \u201cThe Pledge of Allegiance\u201d and the singing of the \u201cStar Spangled Banner.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the playing of TAPS for the retirement of the Colors, the Allentown Band will perform George M. Cohan\u2019s \u201cYou\u2019re a Grand Old Flag\u201d followed by recognition of special guests and a speech by David B. Binder, U.S. Navy (1963-1967).<\/p>\n
Next, winners of the \u201cMiddle School Essay Contest\u201d will be announced.<\/p>\n
The event closes with Irving Berlin\u2019s \u201cGod Bless America,\u201d an \u201cArmed Forces Salute\u201d and John Philip Sousa\u2019s \u201cThe Stars and Stripes Forever,\u201d enhanced with a vintage Romper Day Flag Drill.<\/p>\n
Petty Officer Second Class David Binder is a two-tour combat veteran of the Vietnam War in which he served as a Watercraft Inspection Team Member, a .50 caliber machine gunner and a Swift Boat crew member.<\/p>\n
Along with Binder\u2019s combat duties, he was the leading Electronic Technician responsible for maintenance and repair of the ship\u2019s three radars, IFF, Lora and electronic systems.<\/p>\n
Binder served in the Navy from 1963 through 1967 and in Vietnam during 1965, 1966 and 1967.<\/p>\n
He received the Navy and Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Three Bronze Campaign Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Naval Service Medal.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnnual Flag Day Concert, Allentown Band, 3 p.m. June 14, Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton St., Allentown. Free will offering. Information: https:\/\/allentownband.com\/<\/p>\n
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem presented \u201cLet Freedom Sing,\u201d celebrating America\u2019s 250th birthday, 7 p.m. May 27, Coca-Cola Park, Allentown.<\/p>\n
Expected were thousands of singers from adult, community and school choirs in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding counties.<\/p>\n
The concert was headlined by the Bach Choir, conducted by Bach Choir of Bethlehem Artistic Director Dr. Christopher Jackson.<\/p>\n
The finale was a community sing-along with a fireworks display.<\/p>\n
The Bethlehem Bach Choir \u201cBach at Noon\u201d series resumes noon June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, St. John\u2019s Lutheran Church, 37 S. Fifth St., Allentown<\/p>\n
Information: https:\/\/bach.org\/<\/p>\n
\u201cClassical View\u201d is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com<\/p>\n
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOU.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class David Binder<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The classical music calendar features two patriotic concerts by the Allentown Band in recognition of \u201cFlag Day\u201d and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":205153,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[153,155,154],"class_list":["post-205152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bethlehem","tag-bethlehem","tag-bethlehem-headlines","tag-bethlehem-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=205152"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205152\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/205153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=205152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=205152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=205152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}