Local veterans of the United States military are invited to a free concert in honor of their service this Thursday, Nov. 12.
“A Veteran’s Salute!” by ETSU’s Wind Ensemble begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Culp Auditorium.
The ensemble is conducted by the ETSU Department of Music’s director of bands, Christian Zembower and associate director of bands and director of athletic bands, Joe Moore.
The band consists of students majoring in music performance. University students not majoring in music also have the opportunity to audition for the ensemble.
Zembower stresses that the group is separate from the ETSU Marching Band.
“However, many of the ensemble is a part of marching band as well,” Zembower said.
“A Veteran’s Salute!” will be performed in two parts by two separate groups of the ensemble since the band is so big this year.
Veterans from any branch of the military are welcome and will be honored.
“The concert is saluting every branch of service,” Zembower said.
Some of the music featured in the concert will include: “Armed Forces Salute” by Bob Lowden, “Esprit de Corps” by Robert Jager, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” by Claude T. Smith, and “Semper Fidelis” and “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa.
ETSU’s Army ROTC color guard is also participating in the event.
“Army ROTC cadets will be presenting the colors before the National Anthem,” Zembower said.
University President Brian Noland will read an excerpt from United States Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s farewell speech at West Point Academy in 1962.
MacArthur entered the military after graduating from West Point Academy in 1903. He is known for his valiant leadership in both World Wars. In 1919 he became superintendent of West Point for three years.
In November 1930, MacArthur was promoted to general and appointed as Chief of Staff of the United States Army.
However, MacArthur is known for commanding the Allied forces in the Pacific during WWII.
MacArthur originally retired from active service in 1937. In July 1941, he returned to active duty and finally retired for the last time in 1951.
This is the first time the Wind Ensemble has performed a concert in honor of veterans but they hope to do it again next year.
For more information on “A Veteran’s Salute!” contact the Department of Music at 439-4276.
