Music fans can get their fill of patriotism this weekend, long after the Fourth of July.

“Celebrate America” is a concert that features the ISU Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and the ISU Symphony Orchestra. The groups will perform songs about America and written by American composers at Stephens Auditorium Saturday, featuring a performance by bass-baritone Simon Estes.

Estes, a Centerville native and adjunct professor of music, has traveled the world showcasing his powerful voice. Alison Gaines, lecturer in music and symphony orchestra director, says Estes will be one of the biggest performances of the night.

“If he [didn’t teach at Iowa State], we definitely wouldn’t get him to come here,” Gaines says. “We’re pretty lucky that he keeps his calendar open for us.”

Michael Golemo, director of ISU bands and associate professor of music, says having Estes on campus is a wonderful opportunity for the ISU community and the music department.

“It is so exhilarating to work with someone so talented and so professional, even in rehearsals,” Golemo says.

“We’ve been working on his music and we’re ready for him.”

This concert is an opportunity to showcase music written by Americans, which is often overlooked, Gaines says.

“It gives us a chance to highlight American composers because serious music often favors European composers,” she says.

Golemo says the music department chooses to do a patriotic concert every year because listeners can identify with it.

“I think it’s something patriotic and a way to show what great music there is in America,” he says.

“Sometimes the average concert-goer will be a bit more receptive to American music.”

This year’s concert will showcase a variety of pieces generally chosen by the directors, Golemo says.

“The directors look at the total package and decide what soloists are available and choose from there,” he says.

Golemo says one of his favorite pieces, “Lost and Fallen” by David Gillingham, will be performed by the ISU Wind Ensemble.

“It’s a memorial to the people who served in Vietnam, who are often forgotten,” he says. “The composer wrote it with a lot of color and percussion. He’s ingenious.”

There will be a variety of music played, even though they are all American composers, Golemo says.

“It’s kind of like a dinner menu — there is an appetizer, a main course and dessert,” he says, describing Estes’ performance as the main course.

Jim Bovinette, associate professor of music, says many people who are involved with the university don’t generally go see the instrumental performances at ISU, but “Celebrate America” is a concert that speaks to a very broad audience.

“No matter what the age, Americans come in all sizes and ages,” Bovinette says. “The most important thing is for Americans to celebrate our sense of nationalism.”

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What: “Celebrate America”

Where: Stephens Auditorium

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $5 students, $9 public