Don't be alarmed at the explosions outside your door Saturday night. Those blasts aren't rounds of test firing at the Anniston Army Depot or Pelham Range. They are just the sounds of Music at McClellan ending its sixth-annual summer concert series in style, or as the committee has referred to it over the years: Going out with a bang.

Cannons will be fired in Longleaf Park as the Alabama Symphony Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." The famed overture features 16 notated cannon shots the composer wrote into the score. Those firing the cannons will dress in authentic Civil War garb or modern military uniforms, depending on the era of the weapon. The National Guard will contribute three modern howitzers to be fired during the rousing finale.

Pete Conroy, co-chairman of the Music at McClellan committee, said the event is planned to please all levels of taste of those in attendance. While some will soak in the classical styling of a distinguished orchestra playing each complex note to perfection, others will get their kicks a bit differently.

"It's a combination of things," he said. "For some, the high-end beautiful classical music is the attraction. For others, it's just fun to blow stuff up."

Conroy said that Calhoun County wears its patriotism on its sleeve due to the presence of the National Guard, the Alabama Army Depot and other military branches that have served the area.

"I think that the community, maybe because of its association with military installations, is particularly patriotic," Conroy said. "These arrangements are classics that you just can't help but love."

Meagan McCollum, ASO's community engagement manager, said the orchestra enjoys playing McClellan every year and thinks they'd get tons of distressed phone calls if they didn't.

"It's a great opportunity to bring your family and introduce your kids to the orchestra," she said. "You can have fun bringing your picnic, and it's just a nice evening out for the whole family."

While most of the ASO's concerts take place on Birmingham stages, McCollum stressed that it is the orchestra's obligation to serve the entire state whenever possible.

"This is an excellent opportunity for people who can't come to our Birmingham concerts to see the orchestra," she said. "We try to seek out opportunity as much as possible to reach new audience and help serve the entire state of Alabama."

Conroy said the festival committee is not only pleased with its six-year relationship with the orchestra, but that it wishes it had the resources to invite them back for more than just the annual visit. Part of the continuing development between Music at McClellan and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra remains squarely focused on the education and enrichment of the Calhoun County youth and their interest in classical music as a learning device.

"Our relationship with the orchestra is a partnership. We really hope to grow it in every way possible," Conroy said. "That includes increasing their level of performances but also adding additional educational components that would inspire young people to pick up a violin or a cello and learn about an older and more traditional form of music."

The first half of the orchestra's performance will feature selections from various contemporary film scores, which audiences will surely recognize, such as music from John Williams' E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial, Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story and Meredith Wilson's The Music Man.

Other selections are as modern as last year's score for The Dark Knight by James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer, as well as Carter Burwell's music for the popular teen vampire movie Twilight.

For the second half of the show, the orchestra will shift from pop selections to classical numbers, recognizing the works of notable composers such as Verdi, Lehár and Ponchielli.

Conroy said those attending are invited to bring coolers, folding chairs, blankets and other picnic equipment that would make for a comfortable and enjoyable experience leading up to and during the concert.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.musicatmcclellan.org or at the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, JSU Bookstore, Tyson Art & Frame, The Anniston Star and the Center for Cultural Arts of Gadsden.

The concert grounds open at 6 p.m., and the music begins at 8 p.m.

Alabama Symphony Orchestra

What: Performing the annual "Classics and Cannons Under the Stars" concert as the Music at McClellan finale

When: Saturday, 8 p.m.

Where: Longleaf Park, McClellan

How much: $25 in advance, $30 at gate

Contact: 310-0852 or musicatmcclellan.org