Much has changed in the years since Russian-born French pianist Alexander Brailowsky took the stage at East Carolina as a solo artist in the inaugural concert of what would become the S. Rudolph Alexander Performing Arts Series.

In the more than six decades since, the series, named for former ECU assistant dean of student affairs Rudy Alexander, has presented hundreds of artists to audiences totaling nearly a million patrons. Past seasons have featured big-name performers including Woody Herman, Wynton Marsalis, Ray Charles and violinist Midori.