Soloist Francis LeBlanc performs at the Stars & Stripes concert.

The Iberia Cultural Resources Association hosted its fourth concert of the 2018-2019 season on Sunday — its popular “Stars and Stripes” tribute to the Teche Area’s veterans.

The Sunday afternoon concert at the Sugar Cane Festival Building in New Iberia’s City Park featured the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and the Iberia Swamp Band playing a combination of patriotic songs and pop favorites. The event drew a large crowd of veterans, family members and friends. Veterans were encouraged to have photos taken as they entered, and each was presented a letter from a local student thanking them for their service.

During the first portion of the concert, as the ASO performed an extended version of “America, the Beautiful,” organizer Nelwyn Hebert read the names of the veterans in attendance, with attention to the several World War II veterans in the audience. The crowd broke out in applause for each of those members of the Greatest Generation.

Guest Conductor David Torns led the symphony through a rousing version of Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” to launch the performance, explaining its roots in a competition for a fanfare to instill patriotism and emotion in the early days of World War II. Some selections, like Ron Cutrera’s moving rendition of “America Stand Tall” and Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” were obvious choices for a patriotic concert. Others called more to the time of their composition, like the big band medley, Glenn Miller’s “Tuxedo Junction” and “In the Mood,” and “Ol’ Man River” from Kern and Hammerstein’s musical “Showboat.”

Overall, the concert succeeded not only on the quality of its music but its pacing and emotional ties to the audience. Torns served as a guide as well as a conductor, sharing his knowledge of the selections and bringing depth to the performance.

Soloist Francis LeBlanc also added a rich feel to the afternoon, with his rendition of “Ol’ Man River” and “On the Street Where You Live” from Lerner and Lowe’s “My Fair Lady.”

The ICRA will hold the first concert of its 2019-2020 season, “Sounds of the Season,” Dec. 1 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.