Music to Wave Flags By

Hey, citizen: Before the rockets' red glare steals the thunder from Independence Day this year, be sure to fill your ears with some patriotic tuneage. The Fourth just isn't the Fourth without a spirited rendition of our National Anthem, an ode to America's natural splendors and democratic ideals, or a rousing military march.

Assembled here is a list of concerts where you can be assured of hearing a full complement of brass blasting out some John Phillip Sousa marches, a cannonade booming the 1812 Overture, and a full-throated chorus of our "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Austin Symphony Orchestra
www.austinsymphony.org
Wed., July 4, 8:30pm
Vic Mathias Shores (formerly Auditorium Shores)
Our professional symphony's traditional Fourth of July concert makes its 42nd appearance. Of course, it wouldn't be an Independence Day concert without "The Star-Spangled Banner" (John Stafford Smith's arrangement), and it's a given that ASO will trot out the cannons for Pytor Tchaikovsky's Overture 1812. We'll also be treated to a surfeit of Sousa – "The Thunderer," "Manhattan Beach March," "El Capitan March," and, naturally, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" – and since this year is the centenary of Leonard Bernstein's birth, a bounty of Bernstein: the overtures to Candide and West Side Story, as well as a suite of dances from On the Town. In addition, ASO will perform Jeff Tyzik's medley of songs for the armed forces, John Williams' "March" from the Steven Spielberg film 1941, and Randol Bass' arrangement of "Shenandoah."

Austin Civic Wind Ensemble
www.acwe.org
Sun., July 1, 2pm
Unity Church of the Hills, 9905 Anderson Mill Rd.
Wed., July 4, 9am
Steiner Ranch Towne Square, 12550 Country Trails Lane
The Austin Civic Wind Ensemble's 70 musicians and conductor Robert Laguna are getting an early start on the 1st of July, with a program Sunday afternoon at Unity Church of the Hills, then kicking off the Fourth with a 9am concert at Steiner Ranch. Their musical lineup promises "The Star Spangled Banner," as arranged by John Philip Sousa, as well as Sousa's "The Black Horse Troop," and – can you guess? – "Stars and Stripes Forever"; Carmen Dragon's arrangement of "America the Beautiful," Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture; the folk song "The Girl I Left Behind Me," as arranged by Leroy Anderson; Arthur Sullivan's Pineapple Poll, as arranged by Charles McKerras; Henry Fillmore's "His Honor" and "Rolling Thunder"; "Brooke's Chicago Marine Band March," by Roland F. Seitz: "Joyce's 71st N.Y. Regimental March," by Thomas Barnes Boyer; "The Official West Point March," by Philip Egner; "Trooper Salute, arr. Jay Bocock; and C.E. Duble's "Bravura."

Austin Symphonic Band
www.austinsymphonicband.org
July 4th Frontier Days Celebration
Wed., July 4, 8pm
Old Settlers’ Park, Round Rock
The ASB concert program leads the way with Sousa, naturally, who's represented by "The Thunderer" and "The Liberty Bell March." The program also includes Armed Forces Salute, Claude T. Smith's Spirit of Texas, Thomas Knox's American Pageant (a medley of "America," "Yankee Doodle," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Dixie," "America the Beautiful," and "Columbia the Gem of the Ocean"), Robert Sheldon's To Conquer the Skies, Frank Perkins' Fandango, Gabriel Musella's "Don Ricardo," and Clifton Jameson Jones' "New Orleans Sunday Morning."

Starlight Symphony Orchestra
www.starlightsymphony.org
Wed., July 4, 8:15pm
Hays CISD Performing Arts Center, 979 Kohler’s Crossing, Kyle
The community orchestra affiliated with the Wimberley Players, led by Dr. David Oertel, will perform for the city of Kyle's Star-Spangled Celebration. The concert program will include such selections as "The Star-Spangled Banner," "God Bless America," Armed Forces Salute, and, of course, "The Stars and Stripes Forever."