Sneakers and jerseys were replaced by polished shoes and Navy uniforms when the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus performed at Nelsonville-York High School on Monday.
The event came Veterans Day weekend as part of a five-week tour by the U.S Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus. It was the first time the groups had traveled to the area, and they worked with Stuart’s Opera House and local sponsors to coordinate the concert.
“The field band exists to go out and play music and visit communities around the country,” said Brian Koscho, marketing and promotions coordinator for Stuart’s. “(The band) is a strong tradition. It was a no-brainer for us.”
The gym, which seats about 1,200 people, was about halfway full with members of the public, all of whom were admitted for free.
The performance featured a range of music, including opera, jazz and music from “Fiddler on the Roof,” as well as patriotic pieces such as the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Americans We,” during which 15 high school students performed with the groups.
Greg Broadhurst, a U.S. Army veteran and Athens resident, said he appreciated the extensive genres performed.
“It also maybe inspires music that maybe people haven’t had exposure to, like incredible jazz, and having the young people involved in the program … (it is) just brilliant,” said Broadhurst, who served in the Vietnam War and the European Theater during World War II. “My father was an Army officer and I spent six years in the military, so I really, really love seeing this incredible display of dedication and musical genius.”
The U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus travels to “represent the soldier to the American people,” according to its website. Support for the military was evident in the crowd, Master Sergeant William Gabbard said, during the medley ofservice songs, when members of the military and their relatives stood during their respective branches’ songs.
“That’s always such a highlight of our show, when (we play the medley) and all the veterans stand up,” said Gabbard, a member of the Soldier’s Chorus and announcer for the evening. “That’s when you really get to see the support people can have for the military. It’s just great.”
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