The Greater Huntington Symphonic Band will perform a free concert of patriotic music at 5 p.m. on Sunday in the Riffe Center Mains Rotunda at Ohio University Southern in Ironton as part of the Memorial Day weekend celebration.

The symphonic band has existed for decades under several different names and conductors, but came together in its present form in 1964 with Homer Oschenhirt serving as director. At that time the band was housed in the old Stella Fuller Building in Huntington, W.Va., and gave concerts at the Stella Fuller Playground.

The ensemble has been directed by Tom Thompson since 1990 and draws its membership from the greater Tri-State, including Huntington, Charleston, W.Va., Ashland, Ky., Russell, Ky., Flatwoods, Ky., and Ironton.

It is a nonprofit organization funded solely by donations to purchase music. Membership is open to anyone who has basic music reading and musicianship skills and loves to play band music.

Current members range in age from teens to octogenarians and represent all walks of life including students, retirees and working professionals. The band is currently in need of trombones, clarinet and percussion.

Rehearsals are at 7 p.m. on Thursday nights in the Vinson Middle School band room in Spring Valley.