The string sounds of American Anthem, by composer/lyricist Gene Scheer, show his scope and versatility. In 1999, Scheer's American Anthem premiered at the Smithsonian Institution's unveiling ceremony for the restored Star-Spangled Banner flag.

Paul Lovatt-Cooper's Where Eagles Sing will also be highlighted.

John Philip Sousa's march, Semper Fidelis, is also on the program, best known as the official march of the Unites State Marine Corps. This is just a snippet of the stirring sounds to be heard on this concert.

The RCBB will also present the commissioned work, "Black and Gold Overture" in celebration of Pittsburgh 250 by Pittsburgh composer David Stock.

Stock, who has commissioned several works throughout his career, is also the professor of Music and Composer-in-Residence at Duquesne University. In 1992 he was selected by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to receive the "Creative Achievement Award for Outstanding Established Artist."

Stock conducts the Duquesne Contemporary Ensemble. He has been Composer-in-Residence of the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Seattle Symphony and the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony, and is Conductor Laureate of the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, which he founded in 1976.

He retired as music director of PNME at the end of the 1998/99 season, after 23 years of dedication to new music and the living composer.

In November 1992, Stock was selected by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to receive the "Creative Achievement Award for Outstanding Established Artist."

Among his many commissions are Kickoff, premiered by the New York Philharmonic under Kurt Masur during the Orchestra's 150th Anniversary; Violin Concerto, premiered by Andres Cardenes and the Pittsburgh Symphony under Lorin Maazel for that Orchestra's 100th Anniversary; and Second Symphony, premiered by the Seattle Symphony under Gerard Schwarz. His output of over one hundred works includes five symphonies, eight string quartets, and pieces in virtually every genre.

Stock has served as panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and as a host of Da Capo, a weekly series on WQED-FM in Pittsburgh.

His television credits include the theme music for the award-winning PBS series Kennedy Center Tonight.

For tickets call RCBB at 412-434-7222, 800-292-7222 or visit.