The country will have many different celebrations honoring both the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11 and Labor Day. But the Pennsylvania Centre Chamber Orchestra (PCCO) will hold one in an unique tradition, focusing its show on American composers.

The PCCO will present "Made in the USA" at 3 p.m. Sunday in Esber Recital Hall.

"This show will be stressing patriotism stirred up by the events of Sept. 11 and the Labor Day holiday," PCCO general manager Bob Shepherd said.

The show, which is the opener of the 2002-2003 concert season Spotlight on the Masters, will feature pieces written by Gershwin, Copland, Victor Hebert, and Ives/Schuman.

Shepherd promised the concert to be a delightful experience.

"It is taking place in our preferred venue. It has a good size and great acoustics for our performance," he said.

PCCO is different from other orchestras in the area because it is the same as a chamber orchestra in Mozart's day, which is close in form to a symphony.

Shepherd said the show would feature music performed at the highest caliber.

"All of the musicians are professional. They are paid for every performance and every rehearsal," Shepherd said, add ing the orchestra is principally Penn State faculty and graduate students.

The orchestra, led by musical director Douglas Meyer, will present familiar pieces, with all audience members recognizing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and Copland's "Old American Songs" and "Music for the Movies."

In Copland's "Old American Songs," Norman Spivey, who has worked previously with the PCCO ,will be singing baritone.

Spivey said the piece features five old American folk tunes that Copland arranged for voice and orchestra.

"'Simple Gifts' is probably the best-known song of the five," Spivey said, referring to the Shaker tune.

He said the greatest part about the PCCO is its high musical skill and great camaraderie among all of the players.

Playing the feature piano part in Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" will be Timothy Shafer.

Shafer said he was excited about performing the piece with the PCCO and added that the piece is very technically demanding for the pianist.

"Your success of playing this piece is dependent upon the familiarity with the piano," Shafer said.

Shafer has been rehearsing on the brand-new Steinway that is going to be used in the piece. He is looking forward to this performance because of the interesting use of other instruments, including a banjo.

"Gershwin had originally arranged this piece for an augmented jazz band, which included both saxophone and banjo, but he also arranged a full orchestra version," Shafer said. "Doug Meyer has creatively blended both versions."

This concert season will be six concerts in length, with each concert having a different varying theme. They are, in order of there presentation: "Two by Two" on Oct. 19, "A Fairy Tale Family Concert" on Nov. 16, "Celebrate Mozart! and Steinway's 150th birthday!" on Jan. 25, "Up Close and Personal" on March 2, and "Masters of the Arts" on May 10.

The shows will all take place at various recital halls around the Penn State area.

For more information on the shows, visit www.pcco.org or call 234-8313 to receive a brochure.

Concertgoers can save 10 percent if they subscribe to tickets for the whole season. Normal ticket prices for the concert are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $10 for students, and $6 for children.

Tickets for the concert are still available and can be purchased at the door.