July 20, 2008
Well actually, the shouting has died down a bit, but
our reputation is stronger than ever. Before we had
left the "bandstand," we were invited to provide an
extra element of art and culture to an event next May
15th, sponsored by The American Cancer Society,
to be called "Relay for Life."
In addition, we've been asked to appear (and play) for
the dedication of the Geneva Rural Heritage Center, which
will be the name for Geneva's historic brick schoolhouse.
As the dates for those events draw near, we can take
a vote on whether to "become a band" for those
special occasions, or save ourselves for the 4th of
July only. But be thinking about it.
Some photos of this year's band have come in from several sources and are posted on a page
called Photos 2008. And doesn't our row of flags look great! Other pictures have been promised
and more will be posted when they arrive. I'll send another e-mail at that time.
REVIEWING THE DAY
It was a day of triumph over adversity--of "the show must go on"--that began minus our leader.
As for Maestro Stinky Peugh, he has been called "a man who was for many years," and is the
first to admit that "he never could have gotten where he is today," and yet his fame as a great
band leader turned out to have its limits. I happened to attend a meeting at the office where he
works, and his colleagues said, "Let's get Stinky in here." I replied, "You sent him out of town
two days ago and now the band is without its conductor." They didn't know what I was talking
about. They remembered he'd skipped town, yet were completely unaware that he turns into a
famous band leader when the moon is full (or the day is humid). But I was unable to appeal to
their better natures and get him returned in time for the holiday. Maestro Stinky later wrote that
he was thinking of us on the 4th of July and hoped we were getting along all right without him.
We were! (No offense, Stinky.) With the countdown clock relentlessly ticking and desperation
taking hold in our hearts, who should ride to the rescue but Gloria van Dalen, our first-chair
trombonist. In fact, our only trombonist. Also, as we found out, a highly-capable and inspiring
conductor! Instantly, the band was sight-reading better than ever, and it became certain that the
good people of Geneva, in fact all the people of Geneva, would not be let down by their band.
So with Christopher McBryde and associates in the percussion section providing roll-offs to keep
us playing in the parade, and Gloria to conduct the concert, the GGGAMB was once again World
Class. Also of tremendous value to our success was Susan Waldrip, who kept us interactive with
the people along the parade route and helped to hold the audience spellbound at the concert.
As for the rest of the musicians and auxiliary, please pat yourselves on the back. You know who
you are and you know you were good. We were all good. This isn't one person's band; this is
our band--a democracy, not a monarchy or dictatorship. It's the only band I know where each
one is as important as the next, and talent doesn't enter into it. (But it helps.)
So please thank yourselves and I'll thank me, and I hope to see all of you next year, if not sooner!
Richard
Well actually, the shouting has died down a bit, but
our reputation is stronger than ever. Before we had
left the "bandstand," we were invited to provide an
extra element of art and culture to an event next May
15th, sponsored by The American Cancer Society,
to be called "Relay for Life."
In addition, we've been asked to appear (and play) for
the dedication of the Geneva Rural Heritage Center, which
will be the name for Geneva's historic brick schoolhouse.
As the dates for those events draw near, we can take
a vote on whether to "become a band" for those
special occasions, or save ourselves for the 4th of
July only. But be thinking about it.
Some photos of this year's band have come in from several sources and are posted on a page
called Photos 2008. And doesn't our row of flags look great! Other pictures have been promised
and more will be posted when they arrive. I'll send another e-mail at that time.
REVIEWING THE DAY
It was a day of triumph over adversity--of "the show must go on"--that began minus our leader.
As for Maestro Stinky Peugh, he has been called "a man who was for many years," and is the
first to admit that "he never could have gotten where he is today," and yet his fame as a great
band leader turned out to have its limits. I happened to attend a meeting at the office where he
works, and his colleagues said, "Let's get Stinky in here." I replied, "You sent him out of town
two days ago and now the band is without its conductor." They didn't know what I was talking
about. They remembered he'd skipped town, yet were completely unaware that he turns into a
famous band leader when the moon is full (or the day is humid). But I was unable to appeal to
their better natures and get him returned in time for the holiday. Maestro Stinky later wrote that
he was thinking of us on the 4th of July and hoped we were getting along all right without him.
We were! (No offense, Stinky.) With the countdown clock relentlessly ticking and desperation
taking hold in our hearts, who should ride to the rescue but Gloria van Dalen, our first-chair
trombonist. In fact, our only trombonist. Also, as we found out, a highly-capable and inspiring
conductor! Instantly, the band was sight-reading better than ever, and it became certain that the
good people of Geneva, in fact all the people of Geneva, would not be let down by their band.
So with Christopher McBryde and associates in the percussion section providing roll-offs to keep
us playing in the parade, and Gloria to conduct the concert, the GGGAMB was once again World
Class. Also of tremendous value to our success was Susan Waldrip, who kept us interactive with
the people along the parade route and helped to hold the audience spellbound at the concert.
As for the rest of the musicians and auxiliary, please pat yourselves on the back. You know who
you are and you know you were good. We were all good. This isn't one person's band; this is
our band--a democracy, not a monarchy or dictatorship. It's the only band I know where each
one is as important as the next, and talent doesn't enter into it. (But it helps.)
So please thank yourselves and I'll thank me, and I hope to see all of you next year, if not sooner!
Richard
NEWSLETTER 08E