The Allentown Symphony Orchestra salutes “America250” and the Lehigh University Dolce Treble Choir presents “Raise Your Voice.”

The Allentown Symphony Orchestra (ASO) presents “Family Concert: “America250!,” 2 p.m. Feb. 28, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

“This program tells one of many stories of America using Benjamin Franklin as the narrator,” says ASO Guest Conductor Brent Chancellor.

“We take audiences on a musical journey through early American history, combining classical pieces, historically grounded songs and even Broadway favorites to share about our nation’s beginnings,” Chancellor says.

The Allentown Symphony Orchestra presents “Family Concert: “America250!,” 2 p.m. Feb. 28, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

The Allentown Symphony Orchestra opens with John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare” (1986), a commissioned work to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.

Says Chancellor, “For me, one of the most fascinating and memorable elements of this program is the inclusion of Benjamin Franklin’s own musical invention, the glass harmonica, aka the glass armonica.

“This isn’t something you hear every day. It’s a direct connection to American history itself, since Franklin invented it in the 18th century. Featuring a specialist performer on the glass armonica adds a layer of curiosity and wonder that perfectly complements the historical narrative woven through this program.”

“I first became aware of glass instruments at about the age of 6 while visiting the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia,” says glass armonica player Dennis James.

“I can still recall being mesmerized by the appearance of the original Benjamin Franklin armonica, then on display in its own showcase in the entry rotunda of the city’s famed science museum.”

James performs the “Rondo” movement of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Adagio and Rondo for Glass Harmonica in C minor, K. 617” (1791).

“I also love how the concert brings history to life through storytelling, particularly with the narrator portraying Benjamin Franklin,” says Chancellor, adding, “That theatrical character-driven element makes the music more than just notes on a page and transforms the concert into a journey through America.

“It’s deeply engaging, especially for young audience members who get to experience classical music in a narrative context.

Narrator, writer, historian and historical interpreter Christopher Black portrays Benjamin Franklin, providing wit, wisdom and revolutionary spirit.

“I’m thrilled and honored to have this wonderful opportunity to share the history of our country through the spirit of Benjamin Franklin and live music,” says Black, adding, “Franklin in so many ways represents what is best in our past, and what potential this country holds for all people, no matter how humble their beginnings.”

Three student vocalists will grace the stage:

Natalie Iwans from Emmaus High School performs an arrangement of Irving Berlin’s “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor” (1949).

“Momma Look Sharp” from the film and Broadway musical, “1776,” features Parkland High School vocalist Deven Ruiz

Olivia Gandre of the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts performs Harry Burleigh’s arrangement of “Deep River.”

The ASO performs the second movement of Antonin Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 9 in E minor ‘From the New World’, Op. 95” (1893), reflective of Dvorak’s impressions of America, and closes the concert with two John Philip Sousa marches, “Liberty Bell March” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Says Black, “The music takes us on the journey that is the United States of America, including, Dr. Franklin’s very own, Glass Armonica.”

Brent Chancellor is Assistant Conductor and Executive Director of the Reading Symphony Orchestra, Curator of New Music at Artpark, Founding Music Director of the LUX Initiative and a frequent guest conductor with leading orchestras.

Christopher Black is Artistic Director of the Bachmann Players, Easton. He received a degree in Performing Arts from Bennington College and is a graduate of the National Shakespeare Conservatory.

Dennis James is a performing and recording multi-instrumentalist, performing collector of rare historical instruments and a concert and silent film score organist. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in organ performance.

Families attending the concert are invited to the Orchestra Lab in the Third Floor Rodale Room from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a hands-on introduction to musical instruments. Ben Franklin will be present.

Allentown Symphony Orchestra, “Family Concert: “America 250!,” 2 p.m. Feb. 28, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown. Free tickets for those 21 and under. Tickets: box office; 610-432-6715; https://millersymphonyhall.org

The Lehigh University Dolce Treble Choir presents “Raise Your Voice,” 7 p.m. March 5, Lamberton Hall, Lehigh University, Bethlehem.

“This is my second time organizing this concert, which includes not only the Dolce Treble Choir, but groups of the greater Lehigh University community, including the Lehigh Silver Flute Ensemble,” says Liz Olson, Lehigh University Dolce Treble Choir Conductor and Associate Director of Choral Activities.

The event was founded about 10 years ago by former Dolce Director Sun Min Lee and includes dancers, artists and poets.

Says Olson, “The music selections of this fundraiser concert are quite varied and tell a story amplifying a message of empowerment: you are beautiful; you are enough.”

Lehigh University Dolce Treble Choir, “Raise Your Voice,” 7 p.m. March 5, Lamberton Hall, Lehigh University, 690 Taylor St., Bethlehem. The concert is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. Information: 610-758-2787 ext. 0; https://zoellner.cas.lehigh.edu/content/dolce-treble-choir-raise-your-voice

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