At Last- Music in the Parks

Yes, a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the park in Zumbrota, MN. There were some clouds and a brief shower about half an hour before the Rochester Community Band was scheduled to start.

There were a number of bands. Even one who traveled all the way from Boone, IA, a 3 1/2 hour trip. (Picture at left) People in their lawn chairs, family and friends, and music lovers in general. It is an old tradition- music in the park on a Sunday afternoon. What a joy to be able to continue it!


Then it was our turn. Our concert two weeks earlier was canceled by a tornado warning as we finished our first piece. All that work done before we can enjoy it.

But Sunday was worth the wait. It is impossible to describe the feeling that comes from making music. This was my first concert in three years and I have been looking forward to it. There is something primal, basic, and natural about making music. I have been reading a book about music and the brain that has really got me thinking. It gives some of the underlying reasons that any musician can affirm. I was too busy playing to take a picture of our director and his huge, I mean HUGE smile as we went through each piece. Ours was no less so. A concert. A performance. Touching others with music.

Then last night, the other band I play in, the Rochester Big Band played at another local park (the one with the tornado warning two weeks ago). Another great experience. One thing I have discovered these past six months that it isn't necessarily easy to switch genres in music. I have played in concert bands for many, many years and the concert style and repertoire is familiar, even when playing new music.

But big band jazz has a different feel. I know the music. I listen to it a lot and love it. I can probably sing most of the music we play in the big band. But to play it has taken some training. Or rather, re-training. The connections between brain and fingers has to get used to the type of music. I have been fortunate in that this group is real easy-going (plus I play 4th trumpet) and they have put up with my wrong notes, dropping out and just plain learning.

But last night, like Sunday, was great. I played things I hadn't been able to play in practice. It all comes together, especially when you are playing for people and the whole things slides it all into the groove.

Quite an experience- and quite an honor.