Personnel Changes for National Capital Band

The National Capital Band (Bandmaster James Anderson) began its 2007–2008 season in September. Following the previous season, which was very busy (including a recording, new uniform jackets, three weekend trips and a 10-day tour of Switzerland and France), there were a number of personnel changes.

During the spring, prior to the European tour, two of the band’s officer members were transferred to new appointments. Major Tony Barrington, who had served as the NCB’s principal euphonium since 1998, was moved to the Florida Division, and Lt.-Colonel Barry Swanson, who had only recently joined the band on Eb bass, was transferred to International Headquarters in London.

In addition to the officer moves, several other members have dropped out of the band. Two other officer members, Major Ron Foreman and Captain Wendy Morris (first and second cornet, respectively), although not sent to new appointments, found their official duties prevented them from participating in the NCB this season. Laura Boutchyard (first horn) and her husband relocated to Floria over the summer. Others, including Kevin Affum (first cornet) and Chris Dennard (flügelhorn), decided to concentrate on their educational opportunities. Others not returning for the new season included Jonathan Sears (solo cornet) and Vernon Morris (Bb bass).

To fill the gaps, especially in the cornet section, some members moved to different seats and several players were “brought up” from the divisional youth band. Randi Bulla moved to flügelhorn from solo horn, and Elizabeth Schramm returned to the horn section after spending a season on second baritone. In the cornet section, Brad Ford joined the solo cornet row, and Chris Delaney and Rebekah Schramm joined the band on second cornet. Josh Webb moved in to the second baritone seat. In addition, Sam Funkhouser, a student at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, who was a key employee at the divisional music conservatory during the summer, has been rehearsing with the band on euphonium.

These changes, which may seem rather extreme but are not unusual in the relatively transient Washington area, have had the effect of making the band somewhat younger overall, and even more of a “family affair” than previously, with 2 married couples (James and Christina Anderson, Stephen and Randi Bulla), 3 sets of siblings (Noel and Keith Morris, David and Chris Delaney, Elizabeth and Rebekah Schramm), and 5 parent-child combinations (Noel Morris and son Brandon, Ian Anderson and son Ian James, Curtiss Hartley and daughter Megan, David Downing and son Kevin, and Robert Schramm and daughters Elizabeth and Rebekah).