Utica University to Hold Annual Veterans Tribute Concert
“It's not just a concert, but a very meaningful way to recognize our veterans."
The Utica University Concert Band and Choir will host their annual Veterans Tribute Concert on Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in Strebel Auditorium. The concert is free and open to everyone, following a two-year hiatus.
There will also be a non-perishable food drive for the local Feed Our Vets organization.
The band concert will include a number of patriotic songs, a medley of Star Trek songs, as well as military marches by composer Joh Philip Sousa. To conclude the night, local veterans will be called up to the risers in accordance with their branch of service, and each branch’s salute song will be played.
“It's not just a concert, but a very meaningful way to recognize our veterans,” said Michael DiMeo, director of the band.
Choir director Lynne Ferrara said the choir will sing the National Anthem, God Bless America (words and music by Irving Berlin), Your Song (words and music by Elton John and Bernie Taupin), My Favorite Things from the Sound of Music (lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, music by Richard Rodgers, and arranged by Mac Huff), and You Raise Me Up (words and music by Brendan Graham and Rolf Lovland, arranged by Roger Emerson).
Utica University was founded by Syracuse University in 1946 on the premise of providing higher education to those returning from World War II. The GI Bill provided them with an opportunity to attend college and be some of the first in their families to do so.