ECCC held their groundbreaking ceremony for the new band hall on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The Thomas W. Carson Band Hall will be 13,000 square feet and will be used by the Wall O’ Sound Marching Band. The band hall will include a practice hall, individual practice studios, music teaching studios, an instrument storage area, music library and office space.
The Thomas W. Carson Band Hall will be named after a beloved former Director of Bands.
Thomas W. Carson began his time at ECCC in 1973 as a student. During his time as a student, Carson was a member of five different musical groups; including the marching, concert and stage bands.
Carson also took part in a rock n’ roll group and the chorus.
After graduating from ECCC, Carson went on to get his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education at Delta State University.
Current Director of Bands Zach Langley and Wall O’ Sound Band Drum Major Grace Everett spoke during the ceremony. Langley and Everett spoke on the legacy of Carson and the impact he had on the school’s band program.
When Carson began working at ECCC in 1982, the school’s band had only 17 members. However, when Carson retired in 2012, the band had grown to 180 members.
Carson’s family was present at the ceremony and took part in the groundbreaking.
His wife Brenda Carson, Director of Financial Aid at ECCC, spoke at the ceremony. She spoke about her late husband’s love and dedication to ECCC and the Wall O’ Sound Marching Band.
The ceremony concluded with a performance from current members of the band.
