WarriorMagazineJanuary2021

College breaks ground on new Thomas W. Carson Band Hall

A groundbreaking ceremony in October marked the official start of construction on the new Thomas W. Carson Band Hall at East Central Com- munity College. The ceremony was held at the site of the future 13,000 square-foot facility on the north side of the Vickers Fine

Arts Center. The building will be named in mem- ory of the late Carson who was associ- ated with East Central for more than half his life, including two years as a student and 30 years as Director of Bands and music instructor. He passed away on May 6, 2013, at age 57.

The estimated $3.5 million band hall will house the Wall O’ Sound March- ing Band practice hall, music practice studios, music teaching studios, instru- ment storage, a music library, and office space. Construction is expected to be com- pleted within two years.

Participating in the groundbreaking for ECCC’s Thomas W. Carson Band Hall were (from left) Grace Everett of Decatur, Wall O’ Sound Band drum major; Zach Langley, ECCC director of bands; Dr. Jimmy Hollingsworth, chair of the college’s Board of Trustees; Dr. Brent Gregory, ECCC president; Brenda Carson, wife of the late Tom Carson; Carson’s sons Chris Carson and Jeremy Carson; granddaughter Margo Timidaiski; and daughter Jennifer Carson Timidaiski.

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