For the first time in history, two nationally-recognized venerable musical organizations based in the Lehigh Valley, the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, America’s oldest Bach Choir (founded in 1898), and the Allentown Band, America’s oldest civilian concert band (founded in 1828), will present a combined performance in the Band’s annual “Americans We: Tribute to Veterans Holiday Concert,” 3 p.m. Nov. 16, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

“We always look forward to the opportunity to honor those who have served our nation in this annual tribute to veterans,” says Ronald Demkee, Allentown Band Conductor.

“And we are thrilled that for the first time in history, the Bach Choir of Bethlehem and the Allentown Band will join for a combined performance,” Demkee says.

“Members of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem and I are certainly very pleased to be partnering with the Allentown Band for this Veterans Day concert,” says Dr. Christopher Jackson, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

The annual free concert honors all veterans, including honorees representing World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, selected by the Lehigh Valley Veterans History Project.

“The centerpiece of this year’s concert is Randall Thompson’s “A Testament of Freedom.” The program will also include many other patriotic and holiday favorites,” says Demkee.

After welcoming remarks by Allentown Mayor Matthew Tuerk and Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong, the concert will open with “Let Freedom Ring,” a stirring fantasy on “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” composed by Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Nowlin, director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band.

Says Nowlin, “I was inspired by the lyrics ‘Land where my fathers died.’ I had three grandfathers who served in the Second World War. They were lucky enough to return.

“I’ve never taken that for granted and could not be more proud of their service. The simplistic treatment of the music’s theme is to portray a deep reverence.”

The Bach Choir accompanies the Allentown Band for Randall Thompson’s “Testament of Freedom” (1943) composed during World War II to celebrate the bicentennial of Thomas Jefferson’s birth.

The texts of the four movements are taken from a collection of Jefferson’s writings and were seen as an opportunity to project an uplifting message about the United States in wartime.

Next during the concert, special honors and recognition of individual veterans will be presented by Mike Sewards, President, Lehigh Valley Veterans’ History Project, and Major General Gerald Still, USAF-Ret, President of Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council, Historian and Military Advisor.

World War II honorees are: Lt.j.g. William Balabanov, Merchant Marines; Pfc. Harry Bean, Army; Pfc. Rubino Degengart, Army; Tech. Sgt. James Detterman, Army; Pfc. Walter LaSota, Marines; Petty Officer First Class Robert Pearce, Navy and Dorothy Tate, Rosie the Riveter, Punch Press Operator.

A performance of Claude T. Smith’s “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” follows the presentations.

After intermission, the concert continues with Alfred Reed’s “A Christmas Intrada” and Smith’s “A Rhapsody on Christmas Carols.”

The final concert selections for voice and instruments are John Williams’ solemn “Hymn to the Fallen” from “Saving Private Ryan,” the Richard Hayman, Steve Reisteter arrangement of “Salute to the Armed Forces” and John Philip Sousa’s 1898 arrangement of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” including lyrics.

“Americans We: Tribute to Veterans Holiday Concert,” Allentown Band, Bach Choir of Bethlehem, 3 p.m. Nov. 16, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown. Ticket information: Free, but tickets required, box office, 610-432-6715; https://www.millersymphonyhall.org

“Every semester we try to provide students the opportunity to play music specifically for the trombone,” says Daniel Neuenschwander, Kutztown University Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music and Applied Trombone.

“This semester we are fortunate to have 19 individuals in our trombone choir, including bass and tenor trombones,” adds Neuenschwander.

The Kutztown University “Trombone Choir Concert” is at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University.

The most difficult, challenging and yet most rewarding work on the program is composer David Wilborn’s “Fantasy on an Anglican Hymn,” based on the famous slow, lyrical melody heard in Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity” from the suite “The Planets.”

Gordon Bowie’s “Festival Prelude,” originally commissioned for the North Central College Low Brass Festival, includes movements prelude, fanfare, chorale and variations and recessional with emphasis on alto, tenor, bass, contrabass trombones and tuba.

Additional selections include “BoneWeek Fanfare” (Edwards), “Canzona Septimi Toni No. 2” (Gabrieli), “Four Renaissance Movements” (di Palestrina), “Ave Maria” (Biebl) and “Bruckner Etude for Six Low Brass” (Crespo).

“Trombone Choir Concert,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University, 15200 Kutztown Road, Kutztown. Free and open to the public. Information: 610-683-4550, https://kutztown.edu/music

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