When we honor our veterans, we celebrate our freedoms. Music is a patriotic and inspiring way to connect the two.

Since honoring veterans was one of the reasons behind the forming of Corsair Blue Jazz Orchestra (CBJO), then it is fitting that the band is planning a concert to be held near Veterans Day.

"When we founded the band, one of the tenets was to honor veterans and play music for veterans," said Joe Chestnutt, one of the founders of CBJO. "We really, truly love playing the music we play. We want to help veterans and serve veterans, and we want to bring this music to the community at large."

On Sunday, Nov. 10 - the day before Veterans Day - at 7 p.m. at Highland Presbyterian Church, 500 E. Roseville Road, Lancaster, CBJO will present its annual Veterans Day concert. On that evening, CBJO will also commemorate the 10th anniversary of its forming.

The patriotic 90-minute concert, which will feature a special guest appearance by the singing trio America's Sweethearts NYC, is free to attend, and doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

"(The concert's vibe has) always felt electric," said Chestnutt. "We have filled that sanctuary, and there's anticipation. Once we get playing, people clap along and that fires up the band. It stirs up memories, memories of music (the audience) loves."

During the 10-minute intermission of the concert, a freewill offering to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project will be accepted. Last year, CBJO's annual concert raised $2,300 for the national veterans' service organization.

"We're trying to raise funds for a very charitable organization," said Chestnutt, himself a Marine Corps veteran. "I've just always followed Wounded Warrior Project since I became aware of it. They're responsible with their money."

While the music selection that night will be focused on patriotic numbers, salutes and marches, CBJO will also perform big band jazz pieces from the 1940s to 1970s. They are familiar selections that often elicit audience participation.

"It's classic stuff. It's a huge variety of stuff," said Chestnutt. "It's great big band music. It started out as the music of the greatest generation, and now it's the music of all generations."

CBJO's distinguishing sound is made up of four trumpets, five trombones, two alto saxophones, two tenor saxophones, a baritone saxophone, a guitar, a keyboard, an upright acoustic bass, a drum set and in-house vocalists. But it's really the people who make the band - skilled, experienced performers from all over Lancaster County who enjoy playing as much as their audiences love hearing them play.

"We just have people from all across the spectrum who love to play and who came together as Corsair Blue Jazz Orchestra," said Chestnutt. "They are all talented. Everybody has their strengths, and a lot of people in this band also participate in other community bands. There's a community of musicians in this area to draw from. The secret to having a good band is having a steady membership, just knowing how each other plays."

CBJO was established from Manheim Township High School's Class of 1978 35th class reunion in 2013.

"It was like, 'Wouldn't it be nice to play together again?'" said Chestnutt of that fateful reunion. "We got ourselves together and put together the band. We pulled together all these people who wanted to play."

In December, CBJO will present its second Christmas Concert, "Swinging Christmas," at a date and site yet to be announced. For additional information about CBJO or to hear its music, search for "Corsair Blue Jazz Orchestra" on Facebook.