Friday, October 19, 2001
The band stayed overnight in Birmingham and arose for breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Major Mark Brown (Birmingham Area Commander) come onto the bus for some parting words and payer, then we departed for Atlanta. We had again adjusted our schedule to allow for a bit more sleep time. Our valiant bus driver, Sean, pushed through to Atlanta. However, we had lingered a bit too long in Birmingham . . .
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Thomas Hulten (left) and Bandmaster Ljungholm enjoying their breakfast in Birmingham. Large Image |
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Sean the Bus Driver. Large Image |
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Major Mark Brown giving the band the send-off from Birmingham. Large Image |
The band arrived at the CNN Center in Atlanta at 11:55 for our noon concert. Quickly unloading (literally in three minutes) and getting in place, we managed to get started only a few minutes late. Much of this was due to the efforts of Daniel Meeks and John Zanders of the Georgia Divisional Headquarters staff, who had the chairs and stands in place for us as we rushed in. Following the short program, the band remained at CNN Center for lunch.
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A part of the cornet and horn sections "in action" at CNN Center. Left to right: Ove Ericson, guest soloist Keith Hodges, flugel Aaron Goldfarb, first cornet Keith Morris, solo cornet Connie Barrington, solo horn Large Image |
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Bandmaster Ljungholm shows off some stick technique at CNN Center. Large Image |
Following lunch, the band travelled to the Westend section of Atlanta for the dedication of the renovated and expanded Westend Boys and Girls Club. This facility was formerly a corps with a small club. The corps was closed some years ago and the Boys and Girls Club has been expanded to include a gymnasium, classroom and craft space, and other amenities.
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Westend Boys and Girls Club. The original structure is on the right. The new gym is on the far left. Large Image |
Because some of the children who would be participating in the dedication were delayed, the band had some extra time before the service started. Proving once again that too much time is very dangerous for a band, creative silliness appeared in force.
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Setting up in the new gym at Westend Boys and Girls Club. Large Image |
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Someone had decorated the floor by taping balloons to it. Ian Anderson took this as an opportunity to enhance his pugilistic skills. Large Image |
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Keith Morris (red uniform) explaining to John Zanders just how fast we had to drive to get to CNN Center earlier in the day. Large Image |
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Cheryl Hodges (first cornet) gets a quick tuba lesson from Tom Bratten. Large Image |
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Deputy Bandmaster Andy Barrington (Eb Bass) showing some percussion technique. Large Image |
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Ian James Anderson (Bb bass), realizing that his father was unsuccessful in subduing the floor balloon, attempts to appease a whole group with some cornet tunes. The balloons were not impressed and suggested that he stick to playing the tuba. Large Image |
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The horn section remained calm, even though strange things were happening all around them. Left to right: Connie Barrington, Jude Gotrich, Major Suzanne Barrington, Major Christine Smith. Large Image |
In the evening, the band played a concert at the Atlanta Temple. The concert began with Festival Fanfare and The Star-Spangled Banner (arr. Erik Leidzén), followed by America the Beautiful (Dorothy Gates). Bandmaster Ljungholm then introduced the guest soloist for the tour, Ove Ericson, who played the cornet solo Crossroad (Stephen Bulla). Following a personal testimony by percussionist Bernie Dake, the euphonium solo The Conqueror (Ray Steadman-Allen) was played by NCB principal euphonium Major Tony Barrington. The first half of the program concluded with Michael Kenyon's transcription of the Overture to "The Magic Flute" by Mozart.
The program resumed after intermission with the classic march Rosehill (Albert H. Jakeway). Stephen Bulla's sensitive arrangement of Ernest Rance's song The Reason was played with tenderness by cornet soloist OVe Ericson. Captain Richard McConniel then presented a devotional message, after which the band played its major work for the evening, Turning Point, composed by NCB principal trombone Dorothy Gates. The concert continued with another solo played by Ove Ericson, Songs in the Heart (Erik Leidzén). Finally, the congregation joined with the band, singing God Bless America (arr. Robert C. Schramm). The band played the march Bognor Regis (Leslie Condon) as an encore.
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Playing The Star-Spangled Banner. Large Image |
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Ove Ericson and the National Capital Band. Large Image |
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Dorothy Gates (far right) and the band acknowledging applause following the performance of Turning Point. Large Image |
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National Capital Band in action. Large Image |
