“The Allentown Band is honored to have been a part of the Allentown Flag Day Association’s annual Flag Day program since the association started these programs in the early 1920s,” says Ronald Demkee, Allentown Band Conductor.

The Allentown Band presents its “Annual Flag Day Concert,” 7 p.m. June 14, West Park, Allentown.

“2025 marks our 118th year in honoring Flag Day, June 14th,” says Ann Wertman, Secretary-Treasurer, Allentown Flag Day Association (AFDA). “We are counting down to our nation’s 250th birthday and the 250th anniversary of June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States of America.”

The Flag Day celebration begins at noon June 13 with the flag-raising on the plaza of Allentown City Hall with remarks by State Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D-132), Allentown Mayor Matthew Tuerk and songs by vocal soloist Joshua A. Fink, AFDA Historian and Co-Vice President.

At the concert in West Park, The Allentown Band provides prelude music by composers Morton Gould, Clare Grundman and Clarence W. Dalby with guest vocalist Evelyn Stewart joining in a performance of “America the Beautiful” arranged by Steve Reisteter.

After opening remarks, bugler Robert Sedlock performs the Bugle Call for Colors for the entry of the Color Guard from the Donald S. Reinert VFW Post 7293, Whitehall.

The Rev. Jane Matsinger of St. James United Church of Christ, Allentown, provides the invocation followed by Alfred Reed’s “Pledge of Allegiance” and Francis Scott Key’s “Star Spangled Banner,” led by Stewart.

Sedlock plays “Taps,” the colors are retired and the band performs George M. Cohan’s “You’re a Grand Old Flag” after which guest speaker, the Honorable Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks, addresses the audience.

Prior to the announcement of the Middle School Essay Contest winners, the band and Stewart perform Peter Wilhousky’s arrangement of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

The event closes with Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” the Hayman-Reisteter arrangement of the “Armed Forces Salute” and a presentation of John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever” that will include the performance of a vintage Romper Day Flag Drill by Michelle Peters and Andrea Bohner.

Says Demkee, “This is a program that includes young people in middle school, as well as senior citizens, in a community event that unabashedly portrays positivity, pride and patriotism.”

Allentown Band, “Annual Flag Day Concert,” 7 p.m. June 14, West Park, 16th and Linden streets, Allentown. Inclement weather location: Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton St., Allentown. Tickets not required. Free. Information: https://allentownband.com/

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com