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bunrabThe Montgomery Village Community Band played at the town's Christmas tree lighting this evening. It was about 35 degrees F out there (2 degrees C). Since I have been in Austin, TX for the past 24 years, this is the first time in a long time where it really feels like December when playing outdoors. Often, in Austin, we'd be playing in shirtsleeves or at most sweatshirts; people would be sipping iced tea while singing along, and don't even THINK about asking someone to wear a Santa Claus suit. (One year, it was cold enough to need real jackets, about 45 degrees. Most years, however, it's in the 60's and at least once it was 80 degrees.) Here in Maryland, however, there are real seasons, and real fir trees; the town tree is a live tree at the village center, currently about 15 feet tall. (Austin's wasn't even a real tree, as pine/fir trees don't grow to a noticeable size that far south.) A chorus of teachers from one of the high schools sang a few songs, then our band played a few, and after about 45 minutes, when we were reaching the point of not being able to feel our lips, either, the conductor (conducting from his trombone) announced one last, fast chorus of "O Come All Ye Faithful," invited the audience to sing along, and then we all split for the nearest source of hot chocolate.
Sunday, we will be playing a benefit concert for the Marines' Toys for Tots program. I always enjoy that kind of concert; it's nice to see people making an effort to be generous (and don't we wish that we didn't have to offer free concerts with loud music, just to induce people to what should be natural charity? That's the sad part of Christmas). Oh well, one of the many uses for a large saxophone: "Hand over that toy, lady, or I'll play 'The First Noel' in the upper octave right next to you!!!"
Tubas are almost as useful for threatening people until they donate. French horns *should* be scarier, but the general non-musician public doesn't know enough to be scared of them. They would be if they knew them better!
Sunday, we will be playing a benefit concert for the Marines' Toys for Tots program. I always enjoy that kind of concert; it's nice to see people making an effort to be generous (and don't we wish that we didn't have to offer free concerts with loud music, just to induce people to what should be natural charity? That's the sad part of Christmas). Oh well, one of the many uses for a large saxophone: "Hand over that toy, lady, or I'll play 'The First Noel' in the upper octave right next to you!!!"
Tubas are almost as useful for threatening people until they donate. French horns *should* be scarier, but the general non-musician public doesn't know enough to be scared of them. They would be if they knew them better!
