There are many meaningful ways to honor veterans for their service. One opportunity that's designed to be snappy, satisfying and entertaining is an upcoming Corsair Blue Jazz Orchestra (CBJO) performance.

"The audience can expect great music, good entertainment," said Joe Chestnutt, president emeritus and one of the foundering members of CBJO. "The band's going to have a great show. When the band was founded, one of the tenets was to do things to help veterans."

CBJO will present this year's edition of its annual Veterans Day concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9 - two days prior to the national observance of Veterans Day - inside Highland Presbyterian Church's acoustic-friendly sanctuary at 500 E. Roseville Road, Lancaster. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The event is free to attend, and a freewill offering will be accepted during intermission.

"It's a nice, large venue, and the acoustics are fabulous," said Chestnutt. "From the band's perspective, everyone's excited. I personally think it's one of our best gigs. It's exciting music. The cool vibe we get is from the audience. They really get into it."

CBJO's 110-minute performance will feature two 50-minute sets separated by a 10-minute intermission. The concert will include 28 pieces of music, mostly patriotic and big band numbers from the 1940s through the 1970s.

During the intermission, audience members will be informed about the concert's beneficiary, Tunnels to Towers Foundation, and its work to build a 64-unit apartment complex in Harrisburg for veterans and first responders. Organizers are hoping to raise about $2,000 for the foundation.

"It's something that has a direct impact on homeless veterans in our area," said Chestnutt, a trumpet-playing veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a resident of Manheim Township. "It's a very visible impact in our region for doing good for veterans. I think this is really special because we will be able to go and see their work."

CBJO comprises 20 talented, mainly local musicians playing the upright bass, the piano, drums, alto saxophones, tenor saxophones, a bari saxophone, clarinets, trombones and trumpets. The orchestra will be accompanied by four vocalists.

"The orchestra will be playing pieces from Glenn Miller to Count Basie," said Chestnutt. "It's big band music from all eras. It's just the range this band has. It's stuff people will know when they hear it, which makes it very exciting. We have one of the most talented trumpet players I've ever heard, and he will be featured in a number of pieces."

"I like the whole performance," continued Chestnutt. "Some of my favorite stuff is when the vocalists sing; they are just fabulous. But I think the highlight is the armed forces salute. We ask veterans to stand up when they hear their branch's song, and when they do, everyone applauds. It's just a great moment."

CBJO, which was formed through a reunion of Manheim Township's Class of 1978 11 years ago, typically performs 10 times a year.

"When you're playing and you get a real positive reaction, it does something for you," said Chestnutt. "It just makes you play that much better. It just fires you up."

"Everybody just wants to play," Chestnutt added. "(The musicians) enjoy playing and performing. We aren't paid, professional musicians, but (the musicians) have got a very good organization to play with."

Included in the orchestra's upcoming concerts are a 7 p.m. show at Masonic Village in Elizabethtown on Tuesday, Nov. 18; "A Swingin' Christmas" at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, at Grace United Methodist Church in Hummelstown; and "A Swingin' Christmas" at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21, at Salem United Methodist in Manheim.

"When we formed, we instrumented it like Glenn Miller did his band," said Chestnutt. "The caliber of players has improved as we've evolved over the years. Musical director Keith Wiley gets the best out of the band. The band is evolving; it's not stagnant, and the musicians are playing more challenging music."

For additional information, go to http://www.corsairbluejazz.org.