🎵 Symphony of Service: FREE Veterans Day Concert on the USS Yorktown

About this event

Charleston Symphony and Charleston Men's Chorus perform November 11 at Patriots Point to support veteran and military families staying at Fisher House Charleston

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (October 19, 2026) Friends of Fisher House Charleston, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, the Charleston Symphony, and the Charleston Men's Chorus today announced Symphony of Service, a free Veterans Day concert aboard the USS Yorktown on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The program runs from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the flight deck. The concert is included with regular admission to Patriots Point, and veterans are admitted free on Veterans Day. The concert honors those who have served and supports Fisher House Charleston, the home away from home where veteran and military families stay at no cost while their loved ones receive care at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center.

The Charleston Men's Chorus opens the afternoon at 2:00 p.m., followed by remarks from event emcee Tom Crawford of WCIV and honored guest Major General James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret.), Medal of Honor recipient. The Charleston Symphony's brass and percussion then perform from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., a program tracing the history of American military music, led by Yuriy Bekker, the Symphony's Artistic Director, Concertmaster, and Principal Pops Conductor.

"We created Symphony of Service to bring our community together in honoring veterans while supporting the families who stand beside them when they need it most," said Chris Ward, Vice President of Friends of Fisher House Charleston.

"Hosting Symphony of Service aboard the USS Yorktown is a meaningful way to honor our veterans in a place that preserves the stories of their service," said Allison Hunt, Executive Director of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. "This Veterans Day, we invite the community to join us for an afternoon of music and remembrance while supporting the families served by Fisher House Charleston."

"Fisher House Charleston gives veterans and military families something invaluable: the ability to stay together while a loved one receives care, without the added burden of paying for a place to stay," said Michael Smith, CEO of the Charleston Symphony. "We are proud to help shine a light on their work through Symphony of Service. Bringing our community together through music to honor those who have served and support an organization caring for them and their families is a meaningful way to show gratitude this Veterans Day."

"It is a profound honor for the Charleston Men's Chorus to lend our voices in support of Symphony of Service for Veterans Day 2026," said Julian E. Parker III, President of the Charleston Men's Chorus. "It is especially meaningful for us to sing aboard the USS Yorktown, a ship that symbolizes the courage, sacrifice, and service of generations of Americans who answered the call to defend our country and the freedoms we enjoy. We offer our songs as a heartfelt thank you to our veterans and their families on this special day. Their service and sacrifice should not and will not be forgotten."

Symphony of Service is made possible by sponsors including Modus21, Advanced Technology International (ATI), Advanced Operations Partners, Fisher House Foundation, Nucor, Humana Military, Lee Distributors, and Kathryn S.L. Cox, with additional support from Armed Forces Financial Network and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, and in-kind support from The Post and Courier and AlphaGraphics. Because there is no ticket charge for the concert, it relies on that support and on community donations, which help Friends of Fisher House Charleston keep families together during treatment. Donations can be made at friendsoffisherhousecharleston.org or mailed to PO Box 1678, Charleston, SC 29402.

Seating for 400 will be available on the flight deck on a first-come, first-served basis, with additional standing room. Guests are encouraged to arrive early. Patriots Point opens at 10:00 a.m. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will move to the Smokey Stover Theater aboard the ship with limited capacity. Details: friendsoffisherhousecharleston.org/symphony-of-service

EVENT AT A GLANCE What: Symphony of Service, a free Veterans Day concert When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Where: Flight deck of the USS Yorktown, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, 40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, S.C. Admission: Free with regular admission to Patriots Point. Veterans are admitted free on Veterans Day. Patriots Point opens at 10:00 a.m. Seating: 400 seats, first-come, first-served, plus standing room. If weather requires, the concert moves to the Smokey Stover Theater aboard the ship (limited capacity).

Details: friendsoffisherhousecharleston.org/symphony-of-service

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