The Ohio Northern University Symphonic Band presents its spring concert, “Praising Ohio,” in the Freed Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. The program will celebrate the music, musicians and great accomplishments of the Buckeye State.

The program includes the “Overture to Candide” scored by Clare Grundman, “New World Variations” by David Shaffer, and “Rolling Thunder” by Henry Fillmore. One of the highlights of the evening will be Steven Reineke’s “Symphony No. 1,” which includes a ragtime solo performed by Christian Livengood, a first-year pharmacy major from Norwalk, Ohio.

Ohio was an important part of the Underground Railroad. It has been estimated that 40,000 runaway slaves escaped to Canadian freedom through Ohio. The ONU Symphonic Band celebrates this fact with a song by Sam Cooke, “A Change is Gonna Come.”

Adriane Thompson-Bradshaw, ONU vice president for student affairs, will sing this solemn and reflective work. Maggie Sant, a fourth-year pharmacy major from West Chester, Ohio, and Matt Walker, a fourth-year pharmacy major from Worthington, Ohio, will accompany Thompson-Bradshaw. The ONU Symphonic Band is under the direction of Dr. Charles N. Bates.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors and non-ONU students, $9 for children, and $5 for ONU students.

The Freed Center box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Phone orders are accepted with American Express, MasterCard, VISA or Discover by calling 419-772-1900. Tickets also are available online at www.freedcenter.com