The Choral Artists of Sarasota will celebrate Independence Day with “Sounds of Independence,” featuring rousing songs celebrating America, July 4, 4pm, at the Sarasota Opera House. Under the direction of Dr. Joseph Holt, the concert will feature traditional patriotic songs, the area premiere of Sarasota resident’s Jerry Bilik’s “Independence” with the Sarasota Concert Band, rousing Sousa marches, a special salute to the armed forces and more.

The Concert Band, with William Barbanera conducting, will join Choral Artists for the second half of the program, featuring favorite selections such as John Philip Sousa’s “Thunderer March,” Morton Gould’s “American Salute,” and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” Other highlights will include a performance of the first movement of René Clausen’s arrangement of Wadsworth’s poem, “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” “I Once Had a Dream,” which features quotes from the Declaration of Independence, and “America, the Dream,” written as a celebration of singing for racial and social justice, and utilizing the 11th stanza of the Langston Hughes poem “Freedom's Plow.”

Tickets are $20 to $45. Student tickets are $5.

Choral Artists of Sarasota