View from the Band

We had our first concert for the community band on Saturday. What a wonderfully warm, sunny, and beautiful day to be in the downtown park for a band concert! We had a great turnout of all ages- family, friends, and just plain music lovers.

The Chatfield Brass Band played first.

Concerts in the park are not a thing of the past, fortunately. I have been playing in community bands now for almost 25 years. Many community bands just play summer concerts in their local parks. It is one of the great traditions that has helped develop musicians and local music for generations. It has not gone away. Fortunately, also, there are younger people who continue to play in community bands! There is a future.

Then the Rochester Community Band played.
Here are two views from the band.

The trumpet section in the bright sun. (No, I am not shirking my part. I had a bunch of rests at the start of the piece.)


Our director, Mike Mangan. It is truly amazing, I am sure, to a non-musician how much difference a good director can make. His or her ability to interpret the music, share with his his or her ideas, and then direct us to be able to execute it.

For me performing music is an essential part of life. As a trumpet player I am grateful to have opportunities like this (and the Rochester Big Band where I also play) to let that out. But it isn't just something for me. I am not all that good (or disciplined) at practicing unless I have a goal- a performance- to prepare for. For a musician just to play isn't enough. We have to play so someone else enjoys it.

I am not a professional at it. I will not even consider quitting my day job to make music. But without playing music I don't think I could do my day job. Music truly can move the soul- and to perform music is to be able to let a little of who you are join with others to bring even more to others.