MARTINSVILLE, Va. (March 23, 2015) – The United States Army Training and Doctrine Command Band (TRADOC) Herald Trumpets will perform a traditional version of the National Anthem prior to the start of Sunday’s STP 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway.
The TRADOC Herald Trumpets are a fanfare ensemble of 14 trumpeters and a snare drummer based out of Fort Eustis.
“I’ve heard this group perform the National Anthem on a couple of occasions and they do an amazing job with it,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “I’m a big believer that the National Anthem should be performed in a very traditional manner and that’s exactly what you get with the TRADOC Herald Trumpets. I think everyone will be very impressed with them.”
Herald trumpets are elongated, about twice as long as a traditional trumpet, but play and sound the same as a regular trumpet.
The TRADOC Heralds are comprised of both soprano and tenor instruments. The ensemble produces the sound of a full-bodied orchestral brass section.
The TRADOC Heralds are part of the larger TRADOC Band that serves as an outreach asset for the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. Members of the band have passed a highly selective audition and are among the finest musicians in the Army band program. The majority of band members have studied music at some of the finest colleges, universities, and conservatories in the United States and abroad.
As musical ambassadors to many events every year, the Herald Trumpets are one of the most visible components of the TRADOC Band.
Ticket prices for the STP 500 start at $50.
Tickets to the Virginia Lottery Pole Day on March 27, the Kroger 250 Camping World Truck Series race on March 28 and the STP 500 Sprint Cup Series race on March 29 can be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.