The Allentown Band features a number of guest artists for the annual “Americans We Tribute to Veterans Holiday Concert,” including vocalist Daniel Rodriguez, the Allentown Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Freedom High School Fife and Drum Corps, 3 p.m. Nov. 17, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

“We look forward to having Daniel Rodriguez with us for this concert which will be his fifth appearance as guest artist for this annual event,” says Allentown Band Conductor Ronald Demkee.

The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

The program opens with “The Star Spangled Banner” and remarks by Allentown Mayor Matthew Tuerk and Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong

Next up is “Esprit de Corps” by composer Robert Jager. Premised upon “The Marine’s Hymn,” this 1984 work was commissioned for the United States Marine Band and its conductor Colonel John Bourgeois.

The 1967 composition, “Duty, Honor, Country,” by Harold Walters incorporates a text adapted by B.G. Cook from “An Address by General of the Army Douglas MacArthur” at the United States Military Academy, May 12, 1962. Allentown Band member Emile Guida is narrator.

Guest conductor Dr. Christian Wilhjelm leads the band in Philip Egner’s 1928 “Official West Point March,” containing excerpts from original and traditional military songs such as “On, Brave Old Army Team;” “Army Blue;” “West Point Song;” “Taps;” “Reveille” and “Dashing White Sergeant.”

Dr. Wilhjelm has been the Conductor and Music Director of the New Jersey Wind Symphony, formerly Ridgewood Concert Band, since its founding in 1983.

He is the New Jersey State Chair for the National Band Association, state membership chair for the Association of Concert Bands, and member of the selection committee for the Sudler Silver Scroll, the nation’s top honor for community bands presented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

Guest vocalist, tenor Daniel Rodriguez, joins the band in two selections: Allyn Ferguson’s arrangement of “Into the Fire” from “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” with music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics by Nan Knighton, and Sandy Yeago’s arrangement of “Anthem” from “Chess,” with words and music by Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus.

Rodriguez, the Brooklyn-born, now retired police officer, helped bring the country an uplifting spirit of promise and hope with his stirring rendition of “God Bless America” after the 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attack.

Formal voice training began at an early age, with Daniel’s first recital in Carnegie Hall at age 16. Although singing has been his lifelong passion, he joined the New York Police Department at age 30 where he became known as “The Singing Policeman”.

His performance at “Prayer for America” on Sept. 23, 2001, led to a meeting with Placido Domingo, followed by an invitation to study at the Vilar-Domingo Young Artist program, Washington, D.C. Daniel’s operatic debut took place in June of 2006 where he sang the lead role of Canio in Ruggero Leoncavallo’s opera “Pagliacci” (1892) with the Chelsea Opera Company in New York City. In 2007, Daniel was awarded “Best Performance by a Leading Male” for the 2006-2007 season by OperaOnline for his portrayal of Canio with the Granite State Opera.

The program continues with special honors and recognition of individual veterans by Mike Sewards, chair, Lehigh Valley Veterans’ History Project, and Major General Gerald Still, United States Air Force-retired, President of Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council, historian and military advisor.

Rodriguez returns to the stage for “Bring Him Home” from “Les Misèrables,” with music by Claud-Michel Schoenberg and lyrics by Alain Boblil and Herbert Kretzner.

Next on the program is “Suite Francaise,” composed in 1944 by Darius Milhaud, with its five movements representing the French provinces where American and Allied forces collaborated with the French underground to liberate France.

The music shifts to a festive spirit with “Christmas on Broadway” arranged by John Higgins.

The ASO Chorus joins for Morton Gould’s arrangements of “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers;” “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells.”

Rodriguez performs Gloria Shayne Baker’s “Do You Hear What I Hear;” Steve Amerson’s “Where Else Would a Lamb Be Born?” and Placide Cappeau and Adolphe Adam’s arrangement of “O Holy Night.”

ASO Chorus Master Eduardo Azzati conducts the full ensemble in Carmen Dragon’s exquisite arrangement of “America the Beautiful.”

The concert closes with Richard Hayman and Steve Reisteter’s arrangement of “Armed Forces Medley;” Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” and John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

“Americans We Tribute to Veterans Holiday Concert,” Allentown Band, 3 p.m. Nov. 17, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown. The concert is free. 610-432-6715, https://www.millersymphonyhall.org

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com