Finding the Tour Groove Again

Rehearsals behind us, the Band returned to the concert circuit, even though we haven’t resumed the traveling aspects of Tour. Our first concert of the second half of Tour was at Brockton High School, on the same stage where we rehearsed.

One of the difficulties of any concert tour is the lack of rehearsal in the performance space. This is actually something we confront during our concert season at home, but there we have the time for sound checks. Having the first concert after Stand Down in the same space seemed like a luxury by comparison, but with the added sound absorption of the uniforms and a full hall, it was as though we had never set foot on the stage.

Liz and I traded places, sort of, for the B-2 program – I lost my big tacet and non appearance during the Opener and Anthem, while Liz gained what I lost. On the bright side, I was more comfortable with my pitch during Escapades since my piccolo wasn’t getting cold back stage.

Program B-2 opens with New York Hippodrome, a classic march in a concert edition, so no squinting at a tiny Db part for me. Canzona follows, one of those pieces where one wrong step rhythmically is very obvious. Scherzo Capriccioso replaces West Side Story and moves so quickly Semper Fi is staring at me before I know it. I’m never sure if the first half seems shorter than B-1 because it is new music or because it really is. I imagine I’ll find out after we’ve performed it one or two more times.

On the second half, Manhattan Beach replaces Dauntless Battalion, so I have lost my fun trills and Db part, but gained a nice dynamic challenge in the last strain. Three Dance Episodes from On the Town replace Vientos y Tangos, and while they are fast paced and move with energy, they don’t make my feet feel like dancing. There are some awkward fingering patterns in On the Town that always make me feel like my piccolo will need a COA as soon as we return.

The stage crew enjoyed their respite from the daily grind of load ins and load outs, but they are back at it, adjusting to the minor set-up changes for the second half with ease. The crew works harder than anyone and has so little free time while the band travels, but they never fail to greet us with smiles and a cheerful disposition. They are worth their weight in gold.

The advantages of Stand Down are numerous; a chance to make the concerts fresh with changes in the programming, a chance to stay in one place for a while without hauling luggage to and from the bus on a daily basis, a chance to actually practice your instrument instead of merely warming up, a chance to reorganize your suitcases and bus storage, a chance to have some free evenings to relax and eat dinner at a normal hour, a chance for family to visit without having to hit the road every day. There are disadvantages as well; the feeling of treading water and not making any forward motion, getting out of the Tour Groove, the abrupt change in schedule to the Tour Body Clock, and having to fill some long hours if you don’t have a visit from family.

It all evens out in the end, and after the two run out concerts we’ll hit the road and try to find our Tour Groove again.