Special to the
Opelika Observer

The United States Navy Band will sail into Auburn for a free concert at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center on March 13 beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Featuring the Concert Band, Sea Chanters chorus and Cruisers popular music group, the Navy Band is the flagship musical organization of the United States Navy. Based at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., the Navy Band consists of full-time professional musicians who are enlisted Navy sailors. Almost all of the sailors in the Navy Band have undergraduate or graduate degrees in music.
The Concert Band—the Navy Band’s original ensemble—has been performing public concerts and participating in high-profile events for more than 95 years. Joined by the Sea Chanters—the official chorus of the Navy—and the Cruisers popular music group, the versatility of the ensemble expands to include music ranging from traditional wind band repertoire to Broadway showstoppers, rhythm and blues, pop and patriotic favorites. These elite ensembles combine their world-class talents to create a dynamic musical production perfect for audiences of all ages.
Auburn is one of 20 cities in six states where the Navy Band will perform during its 2020 tour, a journey that will see the ensemble cover nearly 3,300 miles nationally over the course of its tour.
“For many years, Navy bands have been where it matters, when it matters, just like the rest of our Navy,” said Capt. Kenneth Collins, United States Navy Band commanding officer. “Today, we have sailors performing around the world, improving relations with our allies abroad as well as telling the Navy story here at home.”
One of the Navy Band’s primary responsibilities involves touring the country. All of the band’s primary performing units embark each year on concert tours throughout specified regions of the country, allowing the band to reach out to audiences in areas of the country that do not have opportunities to see the Navy’s premier musical ensembles on a regular basis. The concerts are family- friendly events, meant to be entertaining to veterans, families, individuals and those interested in joining the Navy.
The Navy Band’s March 13 concert at the Gogue Center is free and open to the public. Tickets are required for admission; limit four tickets per order. To reserve seats, visit goguecentertickets.auburn.edu, or contact the patron services team directly at 334.844.TIXS (8497). For more information on the United States Navy Band, visit www.navyband.navy.mil.