Sgt. 1st Class Lauren Curran said she was ecstatic to be back in Louisiana and planned to eat a big bowl of jambalaya before she performed with the U.S. Army Field Band on Friday night at the Civic Center. Curran, who plays the euphonium, is one of only 65 members of the band’s elite instrumental ensemble.

Although Curran grew up in Willis, Texas, she said most of her family lives in Sulphur and that she spent much of her childhood there. “This is a homecoming for me,” she said. “This is my second home, and I know tonight I’m going to have probably 20-plus family members in the audience. That’s always so much fun.”

Curran joined the band in 2008 after she earned a master’s in euphonium performance from the University of North Texas. She said the euphonium — a small tuba-like instrument and member of the low-brass family — is a unique, specialty instrument that is mostly used in military bands.

Curran said she and other band members love their jobs. She said their mission is to represent soldiers who are serving around the globe, connect them with the American public and tell the Army’s story.

“We connect with that common language of music that brings people together,” Curran said. “I can’t imagine a better way for me as a musician to work. I get to play music and serve my country.”

Curran said the group travels about 120 days out of the year, performing for veterans, military ceremonies and public concerts. She said Friday night’s performance was part of the band’s annual fall tour.

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Online: www.armyfieldband.com.(Special to the American Press)

Rob McIver