ASTORIA Bring your family and friends and join your neighbors in the community for a free concert of patriotic and pop music by the North Coast Symphonic Band 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, at the Liberty Theater, 1203 Commercial St.

The NCSBs appearance at the Liberty is made possible by a donation from Mike Green and Wendy Dornan of Astoria. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the pre-show featuring the NCSB Jazz Band begins at 7 p.m.

NCSB will be conducted by Steve Kuske of Sherwood. Kuske is an Astoria High School graduate and an award-winning music instructor at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Wash. This will be his second appearance as guest conductor. Master of Ceremonies for the concert will be David Hall of Astoria. Hall is a popular classical music programmer on KMUN.

Kuske selected pieces for the concert that invite audience participation: toe-tapping, singing along or smiles. He hopes that whole families will attend the free concert and have a great time. Kuske was eager to return to Astoria because he has great childhood memories of the area. He says Astoria is an important cultural community; not only are North Coasters friendly and kind, but the community supports the arts, which brings a sophistication to the area that is admirable.

In addition to music selections that will inspire pride on Americas national holiday, Kuske has selected familiar marches, selections from the musical The Wizard of Oz, and traditional sing-a-longs.

Featured soloists for the evening include horn player Allan Stromquist, also a former AHS graduate, who makes a career in music in the Portland metro area; Ken Chapman, a former AHS theater and speech teacher who will recite the Red Skelton version of the Pledge of Allegiance; and Bob Walters, retired music teacher from the Ocean Beach School District in Washington who will sing the Star Spangled Banner and lead patriotic sing-a-longs. Following tradition, Clatsop Post No. 12 of the American Legion will present the colors as a tribute to American servicemen, and the concert will end with John Philip Sousas Stars and Stripes.

This free patriotic concert repeats at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 4, in the Cannon Beach City Park at Spruce and Second streets, and it is sponsored by the Tolovana Arts Colony and local merchants. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, sun screen and umbrellas for an old-fashioned concert in the park.

NCSB will end its current season with the July concerts but resume its offerings again in the fall. Dave Becker will return as resident conductor. Most sections of the band are full, but there is a current need for clarinets. Contact Personnel Director Lee Stromquist at encore1@charter.net or 503-861-1328 for information about joining the band. For more information about the concert, contact Janet Bowler at ncsband@charter.net or 503-325-2431.