HAMLET — The sounds of horns reverberated through Cole Auditorium Tuesday as the U.S. Air Force Heritage Brass band took the stage for a free performance.
The band opened with the fanfare from Bill Conti’s “Gonna Fly Now” from the 1976 Sylvester Stallone boxing film “Rocky,” before performing the national anthem as the Pope Honor Guard presented the colors.
In addition to instrumentals like George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” and the Scottish folk song “Loch Lomond,” the band also featured Tech Sgt. Melissa Lackore on vocals for Lake Street Dive’s “Know That I Know,” Beyonce’s “Love on Top,” Nat King Cole’s “Errand Girl for Rhythm” and Simon and Garfunkel's “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
Veterans in the audience were invited to stand during the armed services medley, and the band concluded with a march mash-up including snippets from John Phillip Sousa pieces — and bits from “The Imperial March” (Star Wars) and the theme from “Indiana Jones” by composer John Williams.
This was the first time in eight years a military band has performed at the Cole.
There are several more upcoming performances at the venue.
On Wednesday, the Cole will host the Watoto Children’s Choir as part of the HOLLA! Community Development Corporation's Black History Program.
The Richmond County Tourism Development Authority Performing Arts Series continues March 28 with “The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System,” April 15 with the classic R&B revue “Uptown,” and concludes June 17 with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets range from $10-$35 depending on the seats and the performance.
Contact the Cole for more information.
Earlier this season, the series featured performances by country band Diamond Rio and the Fleetwood Mac tribute band Rumors, as well as a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”
