The sounds of battle can be heard Sunday during the Vicksburg Orchestral Society’s spring concert as they perform Lugwig von Beethoven’s Wellington’s Victory.

Beethoven, Bonaparte and More will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Parkside Playhouse, 101 Iowa Ave. and will feature the symphony, which was written to commemorate the Duke of Wellington’s victory over Joseph Bonaparte in the Battle of Vitoria, in 1813, VOS board member David Rorick said.

Wellington’s Victory or The Battle Symphony was not one of Beethoven’s better pieces, Rorick said, “but it is a fun piece and audiences love it.”

“This tour de force features bugles, drums, patriotic songs of France and England and a musical ‘battle’ between the opposing armies.”

Written as a moneymaker by the composer, Wellington’s Victory was well received by audiences of the day, but according to the regencyredingote.wordpress website, Beethoven admitted the piece was not in keeping with his usual, more classical style since there were so many special sound effects in the work.

“Though Wellington’s Victory may have been something of an embarrassment to Beethoven, it restored his finances and brought him to the attention of many in Vienna who were interested in his work.”

In addition to Beethoven’s composition, the concert will also include selections from Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Georg Philipp Telemann and Claudio Monteverdi.

“Violin soloists Sandy Shugars and Luline Dotson will perform Bach’s Double Violin Concerto in d minor,” Rorick said.

The program will also include a performance of Handel’s Water Music.

This is a selection even children will recognize, Rorick said.

The VOS will be conducted by Dr. Darcie Bishop, who is an associate professor in the department of music at Jackson State University. Bishop also holds the position of principal trumpet with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra since 1988.

“The VOS is comprised of volunteer musicians from Vicksburg and surrounding communities, and is supported, in part, by the Church of the Holy Trinity,” Rorick said.

Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings at the church’s annex, 930 South St. and new members are always welcome. For more information about the group, call 601-638-4333.

Admission to the concert is free, but a free-will offering will be accepted, Rorick said.