Albany Symphony, Bo Henry Band to unite for Armed Forces Day concert

ALBANY — Patriotic marches, film scores and tributes to military service will fill the riverfront later this month as the Albany Symphony Orchestra presents a free outdoor pops concert celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

The concert, set for 7:30 p.m. May 16 at Veterans Park Amphitheatre, will coincide with Armed Forces Day and feature the symphony under the direction of guest conductor Marc F. Boensel alongside special guests the Bo Henry Band.

Organizers say the program is designed as both a patriotic celebration and a tribute to military service, blending traditional concert band favorites with recognizable themes from war films and Americana-inspired works.

Selections are expected to include several marches by John Philip Sousa, along with music from “Victory at Sea,” “Bridge Over the River Kwai,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “The Patriot.” The program also will feature “Hero,” written by Henry, and a “Salute to the Armed Forces” honoring each branch of the military.

For Boensel, the collaboration between a full orchestra and local musicians like the Bo Henry Band reflects a broader effort to make orchestral music feel approachable and connected to the community.

“While it does present some challenges to combine classical musicians with popular music performers, it is also a wonderful opportunity to bring styles of music together on one stage,” Boensel said.

He said collaborations with popular musicians can help introduce audiences to orchestral music in ways they may not expect.

“Because popular music has a much larger audience than classical music, it is a wonderful way to expose that larger audience to the wonders of classical music,” Boensel said. “Many popular music audiences don’t think that they will like classical music until they hear it. Then they realize that they’ve been listening to it all along, especially in movies and television.”

The concert also ties into the national America 250 commemoration marking the upcoming semiquincentennial of the United States. Special guests are scheduled to include Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany Commanding Officer Col. Matthew McKinney, who will help introduce selections during the evening, and representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Boensel said music serves as a powerful way for audiences to connect with shared history and collective identity.

“Music has always been a part of America’s history, and that music helps to connect the audience with our past,” he said. “It helps to remind us of where we have been and where we came from. It gives us hope for the future because it reminds us of all of the things we have come through in the past.”

Boensel also pointed to Albany’s longstanding ties to the military — particularly through MCLB-Albany — as an important part of the concert’s local significance.

“Albany, like every city, has a history, as does its relationship with its musicians. That history should be honored and embraced,” he said. “Albany has always been very closely tied to the United States Marine Corps, and thus to the U.S. military in general.”

For audience members who may not regularly attend symphony performances, Boensel said he hopes the evening changes perceptions about classical music.

“I hope that they realize how accessible classical music actually is,” he said. “It is melody and harmony, just like the music that they listen to every day. It is just done on a much grander scale with highly trained professional musicians, making it that much more exciting.”

As conductor, Boensel said collaboration requires balance during rehearsals, particularly when working with featured guest artists.

“The most important thing when collaborating with a group like the Bo Henry Band is not to get in their way, but to enhance what they are doing,” he said. “They are the center of attention when we are playing together.”

The concert will begin after a pre-show performance by the Bo Henry Band. Gates to the amphitheater open at 6 p.m.

Admission is free, though organizers suggest a $15 donation. Food trucks will be on site, and attendees are asked not to bring outside food or drinks. The venue also maintains a clear bag policy.

At a time when much of modern entertainment is consumed digitally and individually, Boensel said live performances still offer something uniquely human.

“Live music does something very unique for people; it connects them to music in a way that you cannot get from listening to a recording,” he said. “Seeing and hearing musicians perform live helps everyone realize that we are all capable of creativity and expression.”