The Long Beach Symphony will honor all branches of the military by playing music from composers past and present on Saturday, November 11 with “Salute to Heroes – A Veterans Day Concert”.

“Maestro Preu has programmed a Veterans Day concert that conveys human bravery, sacrifice, honor, and loss,” Symphony Executive Director Kelly Lucera said in a statement. “We are honored to invite those who have served in the military and their families to a concert that will evoke feelings of pride and peace on Veterans Day.”

The symphony is offering 500 free tickets for Veterans and their family members through Vettix www.vettix.com , US Vets and Rock for Vets. Tickets should be claimed at the Will Call window at least 20 minutes before the beginning of the show and unclaimed tickets will be given to veterans and their family members on the waiting list.

Attendees can join in a pre-concert talk with the Symphony’s new music director Eckart Preu at 7:00PM. The show begins at 8:00PM.

Ticket prices are $25 and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased here, on Ticketmaster or by calling (562) 436-3203 ext. 1.

Symphony Lineup

Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man”
Written as a response to the U.S. entry into World War II, it blends musical complexity with the style of the time.

Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings”
Often heard on solemn occasions, it has been featured in television and films including Platoon. Alexander J. Morin, Author of Classical Music: The Listener’s Companion, describes the piece as full of pathos and cathartic passion and said it “rarely leaves a dry eye”.

Bob Lowden’s “Salute to the Armed Forces”
This medley tributes all branches of the military.

William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 2 in G minor “Song of a New Race”
Written as a representation of sorrow, yearning, humor and aspiration of the African American communities in the 1930s. Still has often been referred to as the Dean of African American composers.

Anna Cylne’s “Within Her Arms”
This somber 15-piece string ensemble represents loss and was composed in memory of Clyne’s mother.

Ferde Grofe’s “Grand Canyon Suite”
The five-movement work evokes sounds of nature and is played as a homage to the American Landscape.

The concert will be held at the Terrace Theater of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center located at 300 East Ocean Boulevard.

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