ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — The campus of Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) echoed with patriotism Thursday night as the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Band took the stage at the Floyd L. Robinson Auditorium for a musical tribute to America’s military. The concert, part of ECSU’s Community Connections series, brought together students, veterans, military families and the Elizabeth City community to honor those who serve.
Under the theme, “Salute to Those Who Serve,” the event drew a crowd eager to celebrate and support the armed forces. The TRADOC Band delivered the concert with pieces ranging from lively military anthems to powerful renditions of classic patriotic songs. The audience met each piece with applause for the courage and sacrifice of America’s service members.
“This is a treat that has been offered to us here at ECSU,” said Nichole Lewis, associate vice chancellor of student affairs and dean of students, in her introduction.
According to the U. S. Army TRADOC Band, the band supports strategic outreach initiatives by connecting southeastern Virginia communities, fostering national pride among service members, and reinforcing positive relationships with U.S. allies and partner nations. Their vision is to provide music for military and civic ceremonies, and events that build political and social bonds between U.S. forces and people of other nations.
The event was free and open to the public and received praise from attendees, many of whom called for more military-focused gatherings in the future.
But the concert didn’t end without a collaboration between the TRADOC Band and the ECSU Jazz Ensemble. In a soul-stirring performance, the two bands joined forces for a rendition of Alfred Ellis’ “The Chicken,” a mixture of gospel chorale interrupted by a spunky bass line.
With a standing ovation for the TRADOC band, the “Salute to Those Who Serve” concert left a lasting impression and furthered ECSU’s mission to honor and support the community’s veterans and service members.