The 180-member Skyhawk Band of Lloyd C. Bird High School will present its 30th annual concert at 8 p.m. May 23 at Richmond's Landmark Theater.

Tickets -- $5 general admission, $10 VIP -- are available by calling (804) 768-6110, ext. 123.

To commemorate its 30th annual concert, the band commissioned a piece titled "Always With Grace," which will have its world premiere May 23.

The family-oriented show will also include "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Jack Stamp; "Joy Revisited" by Frank Ticheli; "Concerto for Bassoon" by Frigyes Hidas; "Enigma Variations" by Edward Elgar; "Promise of Living" by Aaron Copland; "Star Wars Epic Part 1" by John Williams; "Sabre Dance" by Aram Khachaturian; "Solas Ané" by Samuel Hazo; and "Spirals of Light" by Sean O'Loughlin.

The concert will conclude with a patriotic finale featuring the songs of the U.S. military and "The Stars and Stripes Forever."

Emily M. Marek and Marshall V. Jones direct the Skyhawk Band. Guest performers on May 23 will be the Bird High choirs and Dr. Susan Barber, professor of bassoon at James Madison University.

Guest conductors will be Richard Huggins, band director at Salem Church Middle School; Dr. Terry Austin, director of bands at Virginia Commonwealth University; and Dr. Gary P. Gilroy, professor of music and director of bands at the University of California, Fresno, who wrote "Always With Grace."

Mike Goldberg, professional clarinetist and meteorologist, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Alumni of the Skyhawk Band are encouraged to attend, as they will be recognized during the concert. Alumni interested in participating in the 30th anniversary need to contact Marek by May 20 at emily_marek@ccpsnet.net.