On the Road Again

Sunday was our last concert in the Boston metropolitan area, in Wenham. Ten years ago we performed at the same site, arriving late in a torrential downpour. Sunday we were a little behind schedule due to the heavy traffic we encountered on the highway. Sunday was a crisp fall day, bright with sunshine, soft clouds and cool temperatures. Ten years ago, the hall was dark and cool, yesterday the sun shone through chinks in the curtains, dancing on little girls’ hair and bouncing off reflective surfaces.

It was our first performance of the C-2 Program; we’ve played a C Program every Sunday so far. Aegean Festival (my Geometry project) went away and was replaced by the Star-Spangled Overture from American Ballads. Hammersmith was traded for the Holst First Suite in Eb, and El Salon Mexico became the Ballet Music from Le Cid. All familiar music for me, with a certain comfort level I appreciate this far in to Tour.

A Sunday night is normally a welcome free evening, but the Sunday following Stand Down, with several free evenings and several days in the same location behind us, becomes empty hours to fill. The Band is restless and anxious to move on.

Monday we were on the road again, and the mood of the Band was generally cheerful. New sights, new hotel, new places to explore awaited us in the next town. Monday’s concert was in a true Gymnatorium; we performed on a stage that faced auditorium seating with a gymnasium and bleachers directly behind.

It was our first performance of the A-2 program since we completed rehearsals, so it felt a little like the first night of tour. Rocky Point Holiday replaced Colas Breugnon, The Devil and Daniel Webster left to make room for the Carmen Symohony, and Masquerade became the Persichetti of choice on the second half of the program. I couldn’t help but wonder how Chris felt about the stage extensions while playing the vibraphone portion of the percussion concerto. The podium seemed fairly secure; Betsy tested it when checking the stability for Stars and Stripes. The stage extensions were a little flexible for the flute section’s taste, so we stayed in place during the piccolo feature.

We move on again today, heading for Rhode Island for a day or two before making our way back to Massachusetts. I am looking forward to the end of the week when my husband and son will visit; the loneliness is magnified on Stand Down when I see other Band members reunited with their families. Parenting is difficult enough without having to do it long distance, and a family visit can do much to keep the family unit strong.

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.

Halfway to Home!

Before the advent of Stand Down, Week Four of Tour was the week I was surprised to find I’d been on the road nearly a month and disappointed to find I had nearly a month left. Once Stand Down became a part of the schedule, Week Four became the Week Where Time Stands Still for some, or the Week Over in a Flash. For some, when we don’t make any physical progress in the Atlas, we aren’t getting closer to home. For others, a week in one spot is a mini vacation in the midst of tour; a welcome respite.

I fall somewhere in the middle; after three days of a change of pace, I am anxious to get on the road, as though miles on the bus put me closer to home. It’s all a moot point, though, since this is the last Stand Down. Thursday after rehearsal we hit the mid point of Tour. This time next year, we will be on the home stretch.

Tuesday was a day off, with no obligation other than to recharge one’s batteries. Some headed for the golf links, some headed in to Boston, and others stayed near the hotel and reorganized or practiced the new music to be rehearsed.

Wednesday we were back on the buses to head for our first Stand Down rehearsal at Brockton High School. First on the agenda was collecting the uniforms for dry cleaning. Band members scattered around the auditorium, warming up or reading the paper, others on stage putting music in order. Uniform of the day seemed to be jeans; the first rehearsal is relaxed dress code. Announcements were made and some housekeeping items sorted through, and then we tuned. First rehearsals on Stand Down are always a little painful; practice hours in the hotels are between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm, so warming up before 9:00 feels a little foreign. Tour Chops have set in for most Band members, so the new music doesn’t feel as comfortable as it did during rehearsals before Tour.

The skies were threatening rain when we emerged form the high school, but Karen and I decided to brave the big city and take the T into Boston. While I have made countless trips to Boston, during my Year of Elbow Surgeries, Karen had never been there. We rode the T with Chris Grant and his fiancé, and Liz, little Robert, and Liz’s mother, going our separate ways downtown. Karen and I puttered around, hitting Starbucks for tea and molasses cookies, the Prudential Center, Newbury Street, and finally Shaw’s grocery store before making our way back to the T. It was a funny coincidence to find ourselves on the same train as Chris and his fiancé.

Thursday’s rehearsal was our first Educational Outreach as well. We were expecting nearly 500 band and music students to attend. It was nice to see Rachel there to greet us as we entered the auditorium. Those of us who volunteered to speak to the students were given our assigned areas for the break. I had a great group of kids that traveled an hour to attend the rehearsal. They had some very insightful questions, the topics ranging from juggling the performance schedule with raising a family to joining marching band in college for making instant friends to what it feels like to travel by bus for seven weeks and do we all still get along. In general, Thursday’s student audience was more attentive and better behaved than in past years.

Following rehearsal, Les drove Betsy and me to Shirley, where Burkart-Phelan, Inc. is located. On the way there, we stopped at Walden Pond; Betsy has been reading Thoreau on tour and had hoped to visit. The pond was larger than I thought it would be, and the trees framed it beautifully, the colors reflecting in the still waters. After a quick visit to the gift shop, we resumed our trek to Burkart. The Band has purchased a number of Burkart flutes and piccolos over the years, so we were looking forward to visiting the shop to try flutes and piccolos and see behind the scenes. Les has been a part of the Burkart flute team for some time now. I have visited the shop several times, but they moved to a new, larger facility I had not yet seen.

We spent a good deal of time in the studio; Betsy played a wide range of instruments, trying sterling silver, a blend of silver and platinum, and a wide range of gold flutes. I noodled on a few piccolos, but spent a fair amount of time looking over the different stages of flute manufacture. I was able to meet Karen, the woman who built the body of my flute; she attended Monday night’s concert and told me what a thrill it was to see a flute she helped build played in concert. Les performed a little emergency surgery on Ellen’s flute and had it in working order in record time.

Morning brought our final Stand Down rehearsal and clean uniforms. The students were wowed by Chris Rose and his percussion concerto, and the students eagerly asked questions and sought autographs during the break. Band members seemed tired at the end of rehearsal; Stand Down is a change of pace and a chance to be in one place for a few days, but the sudden shift of hours takes a toll. Tomorrow night we will begin to shift gears and try to get back in the Tour Groove.

Rochester, Portsmouth, Worcester

Another Sunday concert, another week crossed off the itinerary! Sundays are always a challenge; earlier checkouts mean little or no warm up on the instrument and traveling in concert attire. This Sunday was a little different, though, thanks to Kurt and his high school band. Instead of a lunch stop somewhere between Augusta and Rochester, the band program at Kurt’s old high school offered to host us for lunch.

They produced a magnificent spread with something for everyone; meat lovers, vegetarians, and low carb. There were plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, cheese platters, deviled eggs, and multiple salad choices. The grand finale was a beautiful cake with a photo of the Band at the White House.

Completely stuffed and bordering on comatose, the Band members made their way back to the same gym we played in five years before on Kurt Dupuis Day. Kurt had plenty of solos to satisfy the audience full of his family and friends. Sara sang to his nieces and other family members, and I could see his parents singing along to Over the Rainbow. In addition to Kurt’s family and friends, Gunny Kanteres and his wife were in the audience; friendly faces from home. It was our last performance of the C-1 program, so we said goodbye to a number of pieces. Aegean Festival, Hammersmith, and El Salon Mexico move to the back of the folders to make way for some new music during the second half.

A night off in Portsmouth to relax and eat a meal without watching the clock; I caught up on phone calls and wandered out in search of food. I found a nice Mediterranean restaurant and had some Pasta e Fagioli followed by Gnocchi and Spinach in a pink sauce. I planned on an early night, but my room’s proximity to the lounge and crowd of sports fans meant a less than peaceful night’s sleep.

Karen and I were up as usual in the morning for our walk. We waited a few extra minutes to see if there were any others ready to roam, but in the end we struck out on our own. Armed with a map and directions of a four mile circuit around Portsmouth, Karen and I found ourselves seeing neighborhoods of Portsmouth we would not have found on our own. We were intrigued by the miniature pumpkins lined up on door frames, and we noticed that people in Portsmouth take their Halloween decorations very seriously. Some yards were a little more traditional, but there were quite a number on the ghoulish side.

We had a late departure from Portsmouth, so we had two or three hours to fill after loading the buses. Wandering around, I ran into Sara, so we puttered our way through some consignment shops before running into Sam and Heather. I had great fun helping Sara spend some money, and soon it was time to board the buses for Worcester.

The Worcester concert was en route as well, unusual for a weeknight concert. I fell asleep on the drive, even though it was only ninety minutes or so, largely due to the lack of sleep the night before. We parked behind Mechanics Hall and emerged from the buses, going forth in search of food. I ended up at Pizzeria Uno with Leslye and Matt, where we ate slowly to fill the time before we could get into the concert hall.

Mechanics Hall is celebrating its sesquicentennial this year, a mere teenager compared to the Band. The Band shares some history with the Hall; Sousa and the Marine Band performed in Mechanics Hall on the Band’s first National Concert Tour. It is a beautiful hall, albeit a tight squeeze for the Band. Chris Rose had to wind his way through the French horns and the flutes to reach the various instruments required during the piece. It was probably one of the more interesting load-ins for the stage crew, who do an amazing job of making sure we can do our job. It was our last A-1 program, so we played our final performances of Colas Breugnon, The Devil and Daniel Webster, and the Persichetti.

Mark Christianson was introduced to his hometown crowd; this is Mark’s fifth New England Tour, and his final tour with the Band before retiring next year. Les Hunt and his wife Jenny were in the audience. We’ll be seeing them several times on this tour.

Instruments stowed, trunks loaded and locked, the buses headed to Braintree, where we stop for a few days to rehearse new music and catch our breath before tackling the second half of tour.

Augusta

Jackets were shed as we loaded the buses for Augusta; the sun came out and warmed the air, making it almost balmy. As we near the end of our third week of Tour, people settle quickly into their bus routines. There were a few brief comments across the aisle – the delicious smell of Mark’s chowder, Max’s new phone, a visit to Thunder Hole, and the KU vs. Colorado game later in the day. Then out came headphones, MP3s, computers, and pillows.

The hotel in Augusta was an older one, two stories and no elevator. Karen thanked me once again for my elbow surgery, since it guarantees a first floor room. The hotel was directly in front of the concert site, so it would be a walk day. The surrounding area was highway and strip centers, with plenty of restaurant choices. It was a test of patience to cross the highway, but nearly the entire band was found making their way over at the cross walk, like a steady stream of ants.

I wandered the Super WalMart aimlessly, not really looking for anything. There’s just something about having a WalMart on a Tour stop that compels one to go there. I am running short of dried apricots, but I only found brands with added sugar or sulfites. I spotted at least ten other Band members there, some with a list, some with no more purpose than I. The kindness of New England drivers seemed to have passed over this area, so getting back to the crosswalk was something of a challenge.

The concert was in the Civic Center, an oversized Gym Job, in a way, much like a field house or arena. It was fun to watch the doors when they opened them to the audience. There were barriers strung across the doors, and I could see masses of people moving behind the tapes. The tapes were released, and the crowd surged through the doorways like the Running of the Brides at Filene’s. With the exception of the upper corners of the seating area, it was nearly a full house.

CWO4 Brian Dix, the director of “The Commandant’s Own”, was in our audience tonight. (http://drumcorps.mbw.usmc.mil/dix.htm) It was nice to see a friendly face from home.

This was the last performance of the B-1 program before the stand down. Rehearsal schedules for the stand down appeared on the music stands before our arrival at the Civic Center, signaling the beginning of the “lasts”. My tacet (Russlan and Ludmilla) disappears on the second half of tour, and we say goodbye to several other pieces. West Side Story takes a well deserved break; great music, and thoroughly enjoyed by all the audiences. I will miss Dauntless Battalion, a fun little Db part, and Vientos Y Tangos. I had so much fun watching audience members tangoing from the safety of their chairs, my imagination running riot with visions of the “Marine Band Dancers” crossing the stage.

It wasn’t until our walk I realized we had stayed and played here before. Lisa, Ruth, Karen and I set off looking for a trail behind the Civic Center, and as we rounded the last corner, Lisa and I both remembered looking for the same trail years before. And, like years before, we wandered around the UMA campus a while before finding the wooded trail that led us away from the crazy traffic into a serene leaf strewn forest. Our morning walks are on of the best survival techniques for Tour; almost always a pleasant surprise waiting for us as we walk our way through Tour.