This free celebration has become one of Maryland's signature outdoor events and attracts more than 35,000 concert-goers each year. This year's concert will feature original compositions by Joseph McIntyre, "Ghosts of Antietam," principal timpanist with the MSO, and Rob Hovermale, "Soul's Journey," coordinator of visual and performing arts for Washington County Public Schools.

The orchestra will perform crowd favorites such as John Phillip Sousa's "The Liberty Bell" and "Stars and Stripes Forever" marches, Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," with live cannon fire. Also featured will be Robert Lowden's "Armed Forces Salute," Jerome Kern's "Swing Time" and Morton Gould's "Yankee Doodle Variations."

Suzanne Mentzer, one of today's foremost mezzo-sopranos, will be the MSO's guest artist for this year's Salute to Independence. Mentzer performed with the orchestra during the Silver Anniversary Season.

The evening concludes with a fireworks display produced by Bay Fireworks.

Sponsors for the Salute to Independence are Acton Mobile Industries, Susquehanna Bank, Washington County, National Park Service, , The Herald-Mail Company, Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Antietam Cable Television, Volvo Powertrain North America, Mike and Marlene Young and Family, Ruth and Art Callaham, and Greg and Ruth Anne Snook.

Antietam National Battlefield is one of America's National Parks and is the site of the bloodiest one day battle in American history which took place during the Civil War in 1862. Additional information on the park and battle of Antietam can be found at www.nps.gov/anti.

The MSO is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. An agency of the Department of Business and Economic Development, the MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to non-profit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities.