Rich orchestral sounds can be heard in Vicksburg several times a year and the next opportunity arrives Sunday with patriotic favorites for the Independence Day weekend.

The Vicksburg Orchestral Society will celebrate the nation’s birthday with a free performance at 4 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church, 1607 Cherry St. The concert is sponsored by Four Seasons of the Arts, a local initiative advocating an artistic performance during each season of the year.

“It’s the most popular one of the year,” said David Rorick, Vicksburg Orchestral Society board member. “It’s usually very well attended.”

Dorothy Brasfield, who is also on the VOS board of directors and is the artistic director for Four Seasons of the Arts, said the concert has been held for the past six years, and she has worked with the orchestral society on the event for three years.

“It has been very well received by the community,” she said.

Eight patriotic selections have been chosen for this year’s concert including marches by John Philip Sousa and patriotic music by Leroy Anderson, Irving Berlin and “Over There,” by George M. Cohan.

Darcie Bishop, who is an associate professor in the music department at Jackson State University, is the director and conductor of the 35-person volunteer orchestra made up of winds, strings and percussion.

“She’s in charge but she also conducts,” Rorick said.

For “Battle Hymn of the Republic” the orchestra will be joined by a group of volunteer vocalists organized by Brasfield. The is the second time she has assembled what she calls the Vicksburg Orchestral Choir made up of 12 to 14 members including Rorick.

“I’ve been pressed into service,” Rorick said.

The event is scheduled to last about an hour and a half and will be broken up with an intermission. It is billed as a family-friendly way to celebrate Independence Day through music.

Brasfield thought people should attend the concert for two reasons.

“To celebrate our freedom and to let the world know that we are proud to be Americans,” she said.

The orchestral society is always open to new members. The group generally practices at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Church of the Holy Trinity Conservatory of the Fine Arts at 930 South St.

“It’s a community group so anyone who can play an instrument is welcome. We’ll find something for them to do, but an audition is not required,” Rorick said.

To learn more, call the conservatory at 601-638-4333.