The Sterling College Symphonic Band will present its fall concert titled “Heroes Among Us” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27 in Culbertson Auditorium. The concert, directed by Larry Brownlee, aims to honor local heroes and their services to the communities.

Brownlee said all local heroes - firefighters, medical professionals, law enforcement, first responders, those active in the military, and veterans to attend. “This concert is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to all of our local heroes,” Brownlee said. “We want to honor their service through our music.”

The program will feature a selection of stirring and emotional pieces meant to evoke pride and appreciation for these everyday heroes. One highlight of the concert will be “Armed Forces Salute” which recognizes the five branches of the military. Another notable work is “Heroic Fanfare”, the concert’s opening piece, written in memory of the first responders who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Brownlee is particularly excited about a piece titled “Undivided” which musically explores the division in America and concludes with a hopeful message of unity. He explained how the composer uses fragments of the national anthem to illustrate how we’ve become divided, but it finishes with a reminder that we are one nation, under God, indivisible.

Brownlee applauds the students for their musical growth during the process of preparing for this concert. “This is probably the most challenging concert we have presented so far, as far as the difficulty of the music is concerned. It has been fun, and a journey, putting the music together,” Brownlee said.

He continues, “The students have grown in their musicianship through working to perfect the challenges of the music. They have also grown in their awareness of the true heroes that live among us every day.”This concert is free and open to all.