The Brass Crest - NCB Tour 2001 - Daily Report

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The day began in a quite leisurely fashion, because the schedule in the brief did not take into account that Birmingham is in the Central time zone. After a bite of breakfast, Kevin Hodges (aka "Master Packer") packed the luggage on the bus and we set off for Birmingham, Alabama. Dorothy Gates again attempted to use the bus microphone, and finally figured out the secret of holding down the talk button for a few seconds before speaking.

	Kevin Hodges, master packer, assesses the situation. Large Image
	Dorothy Gates and her very good friend, Mr. Bus Microphone. Large Image

Despite getting an extra hour to sleep because of the time zone difference, some members of the band were unable to overcome their weariness . . .

Even though we left Chattanooga an hour later than the original schedule, we still pulled into Birmingham a couple of hours before the planned time. Major Mark Brown invited us into the Area Command building and gave us snack food. Several card games immediately broke out.

	Front of the Area Command building in Birmingham. Large Image
	Playing cards at the Area Command. Large Image

After our delicious and sugar-filled snacks, we returned to the bus and drove a few blocks into the heart of the city. Deputy Bandmaster Andy Barrington gave us our marching formation (some ranks with four people and some with five, which made it a little difficult to stay in file . . .) and we moved down 20th Street, accompanied by motorcycle police and local television cameras (some of which stood in the middle of our route and forced us to go around them). Arriving at the AmSouth plaza at the end of the march, we played a 35-minute program. At the end of the outdoor concert (which included Ove Ericson playing the old solo Tucker by Erik Leidzén), a small children's chorus from the St. Paul's Cathedral School joined with the band, singing Jesus Loves Me.

	Trombones and tubas at AmSouth plaza. Large Image
	Old Glory prominently displayed at AmSouth plaza. Large Image
	Bandmaster Lars-Otto Ljungholm and the children from St. Paul's Cathedral School. Large Image

Following the windy (the weather, not the band!) concert in the open air, we headed back to the Army complex for lunch at the Social Services building cafeteria (Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwiches - Travis Smith ate at least three). Then it was off to the concert venue, the Briarwood Presbyterian Church, for set up and sound check. Following the set up period, we went off for even more food. (Eat twice before playing, the ideal situation). Briarwood Presbyterian is a massive complex, which includes a school and other amenities. The main sanctuary seats approximately 2,500 people. The room where we stored our instrument cases is a fully functional flower shop, complete with glass-walled refrigerator.

The concert began with the march Rosehill, followed by the National Anthem. Ove Ericson performed the brilliant cornet solo Crossroad, immediately preceding an equally brilliant rendition of The Conqueror, played by euphonium soloist Major Tony Barrington. A short video about the September 11 incidents and the Salvation Army response was shown, then Jude Gotrich, who is accompanying the band on tour as an alto horn player, sang (with the band) the moving You'll Never Walk Alone. The first half of the concert ended with Dorothy Gates' new arrangement of America the Beautiful.

After a brief intermission, the concert continued. The band played the march To Regions Fair in order to put the audience back in their seats. I Love You, Lord and cornet solo (again played by Ove Ericson) The Reason followed immediately. Captain Richard McConniel read a passage of Scripture, then the band played the very moving classic meditation entitled The Light of the World. Ove contributed again with the solo Songs in the Heart. Turning Point was the final musical number on the program. Alabama-Louisana-Mississippi Divisional Commander, Lt.-Colonel Donald Canning , the band played God Bless America, joined by the entire audience. Bognor Regis, a classic march by National Capital Bandsman, was the postlude.

	Organ in the sanctuary of Briarwood Presbyterian. Large Image
	Keith Morris emerges from the flower refrigerator. Large Image
	Jude Gotrich singing with the band. Large Image
	The band taking a bow after the conclusion of Turning Point. Large Image

Thursday, October 18, 2001