Syracuse Sun

When you think of military music, you may imagine the sounds of a rousing march. But as Navy Week sailed into Syracuse, the Navy Band Northeast showed students that they’re about much more than just “Anchors Aweigh.” On Aug. 28, two of the band’s ensembles entertained students at Setnor Auditorium at Crouse College with a variety of classical and jazz pieces. Members even led students in a singalong chorus of the pop anthem “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

The goal was to show students one of the many options that are available when they graduate. “Some students may not know that you can have an actual career as a musician in the military, but many, many people do,” said Brad Ethington, director of University bands and professor of music.

Ainsley Brouse G’26, who is pursuing a master’s degree in wind conducting in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, says the extent of what military bands do was new to her when she came to college. “I think if I had seen that younger, before college, I think it would’ve made music seem more accessible and more achievable that there is not just one path you can go down, but there’s many, many paths that you can go down,” Brouse said.

After their performance, the musicians answered questions from students about what it means to be in a military band and to be a professional musician more generally. “Anytime you can interact with the very best people in your profession in any way, whether it’s just hearing a performance, getting to ask questions, meeting them, that’s only going to be a positive thing and provide benefits,” Ethington said.

Check out other highlights from Navy Week below.

Lt. Conor Sullivan ’15, G’18, L’18 spoke with students at the College of Law about opportunities in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps.

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Josh Jackson and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Parker posed with Chancellor Kent Syverud. The two senior Navy leaders took part in a roundtable discussion with the Chancellor as part of Navy Week Syracuse to discuss enhancing partnerships between the military branches and higher education to offer better opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders.

Members of the U.S. Navy Band Northeast performed for College of Visual and Performing Arts students in Setnor Auditorium during Navy Week Syracuse.

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Josh Jackson visited with students in the military visual journalism program at Newhouse School.

Misty Fox, director of entrepreneurship and small business with D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families spoke during an event co-hosted by APEX Accelerators National Veterans Resource Center at Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building titled “Doing Business With The Department Of Navy.”

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Josh Jackson was honored as Hometown Hero during Syracuse football season opener on Aug. 31 vs Ohio at JMA Wireless Dome.