The Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts will host the internationally-acclaimed United States Army Field Band to perform patriotic music. One of the band’s musicians, Sergeant Major Victor Cenales, is a Hammond native who graduated from Hammond High in 1983 and began his vocal training at Southeastern.

The Hammond Daily Star and the Columbia Theatre are co-sponsoring the event, which is open to the public and will take place Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. 

“These people travel all over the world all year, so I feel very fortunate to have them and I feel very grateful,” said Roy Blackwood, interim director of the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts and FANFARE.

Quality, technological professionals manage sound and light to make sure the tones are “rich and full.”  

“The Columbia has superb acoustics. They can play acoustically and sound fabulous,” said Blackwood. 

“It’s going to be very beautiful and quite inspirational,” said Blackwood. “[On the playlist] is Beethoven’s ‘Symphony No. 5,’ favorites like ‘Shenandoah,’ ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ [and] ‘Voices of Strength.’ [These are] not necessarily songs you would have heard of. All of the groups play an armed forces salute. They will do ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ and the show will end with ‘America the Beautiful.’”

Accompanying this popular band will be a soldiers’ chorus. Together, they will put on this concert that people of all ages are encouraged to attend.

“Our number one audience is anyone who is a patriot. Everybody in the community should be proud of our veterans,” said Blackwood. 

Every year, Blackwood tries to incorporate a patriotic show to demonstrate allegiance and nationalism. 

“Every branch of the military service has a show band and this year, I wanted to highlight the Army Field Band,” said Blackwood. 

This show is intended to remind audience members freedom comes at a price and that honoring veterans is necessary.

“I think they will continue this tradition of support for the veterans and active military,” said Blackwood. “Hopefully, it will stir some patriotism in the community and let them know we owe a tremendous debt to the military for our freedom. We should be so grateful that we have the freedom that we have.”

Free tickets must be picked up at the Columbia Theatre box office or the Hammond Daily Star. For additional information, contact the Columbia Theatre’s box office at 985-543-4371.