arts & entertainment

Put on your red, white & blue and get ready to wave the flag when the Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra presents its annual free patriotic concert. Spirit of America will be performed at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 28 at the Emerson Center, 1590 27^th Avenue in Vero Beach. Spirit of America will showcase American heritage, as conductor and artistic director Aaron T. Collins directs the wind orchestra in the “Star Spangled Banner,” “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood and favorites like the beloved, “America the Beautiful” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” 

Among the many rousing patriotic numbers will be a salute to those who served in the United States Armed Forces; veterans will be asked to stand when their service song is played. Attendees to Spirit of America can also count on “El Capitan,” “Washington Post” and “Liberty Bell” marches from The March King, John Philip Sousa. Rounding out the program is the World Premiere of Mark Piszczek’s American Frontier Suite, featuring songs for wind band from the Old West and American frontier, including “Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie,” “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” “Yellow Rose of Texas,” “Red River Valley” and others. Concertgoers to Spirit of America are invited to wear red, white and blue in a show of patriotic solidarity. Free tickets to the Saturday performance can be reserved online at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org. Donations to help defray the concert costs will be accepted with gratitude. For more information, call 855-252-7276.

Artistic Director and Conductor, Aaron T. Collins, considers it an honor to salute the USA and our veterans. 

“We owe everything to the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform,” said Collins. “This concert is a powerful way to come together as a community and celebrate our great nation.”

Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about the Space Coast Symphony’s 2025-26 Season, please visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call (855) 252-7276.

TICKET RESERVATIONS —

VERO BEACH: 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 28

MELBOURNE: 7:00 PM on Saturday, June 28

COCOA BEACH: 3:30 PM on Sunday, June 29

ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised of professional musicians, music educators and mentored amateurs of exceptional ability. The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for Florida’s finest young musicians as well as to provide professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices. The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations.

Aaron T. Collins is garnering recognition for his achievements.  LEAD Brevard named the ambitious Collins one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals, the youngest-ever recipient of the honor.  Space Coast Business magazine listed him as one of Brevard’s “100 Most Admired Businesspeople.” Collins is a past recipient of the Richard A. Stark Award for cultural leadership from the Cultural Council of Indian River County. Through his personal involvement with more than a dozen performing arts groups, pioneering reciprocal ad program and social media cross promotions, Collins has gained a reputation for generosity; championing other arts organizations throughout Central Florida for the cultural enrichment of the community. 

School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID.  In keeping with their mission, the symphony provides a unique Symphony for Everyone ticketing program, a “pay-what-you-can” option designed to provide substantially discounted admission to any Space Coast Symphony concert. Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only a handful of U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. The nonprofit organization also maintains the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra and the Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra, with several free performances each year. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling (855) 252-7276.