Brian Shelton returns to the conductor’s podium for the annual 4th of July Concert. The Kingsville Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Patriotic Concert at 3 p.m., July 4, in Jones Auditorium, 855 N. Armstrong, on the Texas A&M University- Kingsville campus.

In a salute to “American Heroes: Those Who Serve,” the concert will honor our active military and our veterans.

Each branch of the armed services will be recognized during the playing of “Armed Forces Salute.”

Opening this community event, the Naval Air Station Kingsville color guard will present the colors, and Bishop High School senior Nicholas Brown will be guest conductor for “The Star Spangled Banner” in a special arrangement created by TAMUK music professor Dr. Greg Sanders.

Brian Shelton, TAMUK band director, returns to the podium to lead the orchestra in what is certain to be another crowd pleaser. Highlights will include three Sousa marches, Suppe’s perennial favorite “Light Cavalry Overture,” a medley of tunes from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

TAMUK voice professor Melinda Brou will sing “America the Beautiful” as a montage of patriotic scenes, specially assemble by Ashley Sanders, play across Jones Auditorium. Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” will have its own virtual fireworks display, to bring the concert to a rousing finish.

The concert closes out the fourth season of the Kingsville Symphony Orchestra, a joint venture between the community and the university. This season’s theme was “Bach to the Future.” As its final tribute to the composer, Dr. Yutaka Kono will conduct the fifth section of Orchestral Suite No. 4, in D Major, “Rejouissance.”

Jim Lago, Corpus Christi radio talk show host, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Tickets for the event are still available. They may be purchased at the Kingsville Chamber of Commerce, the Kingsville Visitors Bureau, the TAMUK Music Department, and all Kleberg Banks. Seats cost $30, $20, and $10. Military personnel and veterans are admitted free.

KSO’s fifth season will be called — yes, “The Fifth.” Anticipation can begin now: Which of the many Symphonies No. 5 will be on the program? Beethoven’s? Dvorak’s? Mendelssohn’s? Or perhaps Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5? To find out, buy your season ticket at the July 4 concert. And mark the calendar now: Oct. 3, Nov. 20, Apr. 3, and July 4.