Posted by glennled on September 2, 2011
“I was only two years old then!” said Dave after he heard me say that I graduated from the University of Washington in 1962. The tall 
trumpeter with his bright eyes, wide smile, and salt and pepper beard is a fellow-member of the Husky Marching Band Alumni Association (HMBAA). A few minutes before, Dr. Brad McDavid, Director of Athletic Bands at UW, had asked for a show of hands of those Alumni Band members who graduated in the 1990’s: many hands were raised; 1980’s, fewer hands; 1970’s, very few hands; 1960’s, one hand—mine!
We were standing on the field of Husky Stadium last Wednesday night, about to begin a three-hour rehearsal with the Varsity Band in preparation for the pre-game and half-time shows at this Saturday’s football game, opening the new season. The Huskies are playing the Eagles from Eastern Washington University in Cheney, near Spokane. Last season, the Eagles won the 20-team playoff and are the 2011 national champions of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) of the NCAA. And this year, they are again ranked No. 1 in the nation in the pre-season polls. FCS is only one level below the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in which the Huskies play.
New Pac-12 logo painted on Husky Stadium field (photo by Dan Niven)
Classes at UW begin in about four weeks on the 28th of September, and most students have not yet arrived on campus. So, it’s traditional for the Varsity Band to combine with the Alumni Band to perform for the fans and team at the first football game of the year. A few weeks ago, when I volunteered to play at this game, I did not realize what I was getting in for. This Saturday, I’ll be marching on the field alongside and among those smart, lively, 19-22 year old kids, all good musicians, pumped full of adrenaline and testosterone. There will be about 160 of us. That’s bigger than the entire Varsity Band when I was in school. “What have I done?” I thought.
Then I counted the years since I last marched in the band on this field, playing my Super Olds cornet—50 years ago, in 1961, the year the Huskies, led by Coach Jim Owens, won the Rose Bowl game, beating the Minnesota Gophers, 17-7. Holy cow, it’s like a Golden Anniversary! And this is the last year for this stadium. It will be demolished and rebuilt after this season.
After rehearsal, as I was walking slowly back to my car on tired feet, Dave caught up with me, and we chatted about the experience. As our pathways diverged, he shouted, “You’re an inspiration!”
No—really? Shocking! I didn’t aspire to that. But age just happens, doesn’t it, if you’re lucky like me. I arrived home after 10 p.m., and my wife and I had a long chuckle before going to sleep.
Posted in HMBAA - Husky Alumni Band | Tagged: alumni, band, Coach Jim Owens, cornet, Dr. Brad McDavid, Eagles, Eastern Washington University, HMBAA, Huskies, Husky Stadium, Minnesota Gophers, musicians, NCAA, Rose Bowl, Super Olds, trumpeter, University of Washington, UW, Varsity | 2 Comments »
Posted by glennled on August 21, 2011
Yesterday, I played “Taps” as part of the military honors accorded a Japanese-American veteran who served in World War II after having first been interned at the Minidoka War Relocation Center in Hunt, Idaho with his family. Born in 1923 in Seattle, he was 18 when the U.S.A. entered the war. Within a year after internment, he enlisted in the Army. He served as a translator of Japanese for the Military Intelligence Service during the reconstruction of Japan. He died 25 December 2010. His wife, also born in Seattle, died 14 July 2011. They were married 61 years.
The graveside service at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle was led by the head minister of Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Church. Near the end of the service, the Honor Guard carefully unfolded the American flag and dramatically displayed it to the family and friends. That was my signal to sound “Taps.”
I now own my version of “Taps.” Before, I had been experimenting with slight variations in the way I would play those 24-notes. But as of yesterday, I realized that I’ve now worked out every detail of how I play it. I’ve chosen the key signature, tempo, rhythm, phrasing, and dynamics. I know when to breathe, I know when to use vibrato, I know how long to hold each fermata, I know when to make the notes swell and when to let them fade. Whether loud or soft, I keep the tone solid.
The Honor Guard then folded the flag and presented it to a gentleman in a dark suit. Afterwards, he thanked me.
“Are you his son?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“A good life?” I asked.
“Yes, a wonderful life, a wonderful man!”
I said I served in the Navy and thanked him for his father’s service. I said I would like to know more about his story. “It’s my honor and privilege to play for him today.”
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: breathe, dynamics, Evergreen Washelli, fermata, Hunt, Idaho, Japanese-American, key signature, military honors, Minidoka War Relocation Center, notes, phrasing, rhythm, Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Church, Taps, tempo, tone, vibrato, World War II, WWII | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on August 15, 2011
George and Ira Gershwin
Porgy and Bess premiered in New York in 1935 during the Great Depression and in Seattle in 1987. My wife and I finally saw it for the first time yesterday in McCaw Hall, home of Seattle Opera. It was my gift to her for her birthday.
Yes, we knew many of the hit songs from this most famous American opera: “Summertime,” “I Loves You, Porgy,” “Bess, You Is My Woman Now,” “I Got Plenty O Nuttin’,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and “A Woman Is a Sometime Thing.” But no, we had no idea of the content, storyline, and plot. I was simply expecting a love story with some hard times; the ending might be happy or sad, I did not know. This folk/jazz opera was that and much, much more.
I learned that the uncut opera is almost four hours long. This version (including a 30-minute intermission) lasted almost three hours. It is set in Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1935, it was quite radical—an all-black cast using authentic dialogue. It’s based on a 1925 novel, Porgy,by DuBose Heyward. To me, the love story is turned tragic by addiction to sex and drugs. And yet, Bess’ love for the
Ruby Elzy, the original Serena, performed the role more than 800 times.
beggar and congenital cripple, Porgy, would not have happened were it not for her addiction and his disability. He is her means from a dissolute to a decent life; she is his means out of rejection, isolation, and loneliness. The opera is filled with conflicts: striving for good—survival, love, a better life, God and Jesus—and falling into evil—gambling, drinking, racism, promiscuity, prostitution, pimping, drug dealing, cocaine (“happy dust”), abuse, and murder. The ending is ambiguous. For all this, it is said that the show is born from a love of black people.
The star performer was Gordon Hawkins (baritone) as Porgy, paired with Lisa Daltirus (soprano) as Bess. Among my favorites were Angel Blue (soprano) as Clara, Jermaine Smith (tenor) as Sportin’ Life, and Mary Elizabeth Williams (soprano) as Serena.
And how exciting would it be to play in the ~60-piece Seattle Opera Orchestra? That must feel so special and so fun! For Porgy and Bess, there were three trumpeters: Justin Emerich, principal, Vince Green, and Brian Chin. Emerich is former solo/first trumpet with the Canadian Brass and is now a faculty member at the Cornish College of the Arts. Green is on the faculty of Western Washington University and often performs with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, and the Seattle Symphony. Chin teaches full-time at Seattle Pacific University and is principal trumpet at the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra.
Posted in Professional Concerts | Tagged: A Woman Is a Sometime Thing, Angel Blue, Bess You is My Woman Now, Brian Chin, Canadian Brass, Cornish College of the Arts, DuBose Heyward, George and Ira Gershwin, Gordon Hawkins, I Got Plenty O Nuttin', I Loves You Porgy, It Ain't Necessarily So, Jermaine Smith, Justin Emerich, Lisa Daltirus, Mary Elizabeth Williams, McCaw Hall, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Porgy and Bess, Ruby Elzy, Seattle Opera, Seattle Opera Orchestra, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle Symphony, Summertime, Tacoma Symphony, The Gershwins, trumpeters, Vince Green, Western Washington University | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on July 31, 2011
For a complete rebroadcast of the TV coverage of the Seafair Torchlight Parade last night in Seattle, see http://www.kirotv.com/video/28719705/index.html. At 1:37:32 on the video, you’ll find pictures of and commentary on the mixed UW Husky Varsity and Alumni Bands. I’m a member of the latter.
At 32:30 on the video, you can watch and hear one of my favorites, the Get a Life Marching Band from Portland, Oregon, who say about themselves, “We’re an eating band with a music problem.” They’re composed of people (ages 20-70) who played in high school or college bands and don’t want to give it up. Their motto is, “We don’t need good taste to know what tastes good.” They want to stay young but are not obsessed with perfection, including how they look, so they say about themselves, “We’d rather miss a note than miss a meal.”
Other bands and drumlines performing in the parade included (in order of appearance) the Calgary Round Up Band, Cranbrook Girls’ Bugle Band, Seattle Fire Department Pipe and Drum Band, 56th Army Band, Navy Band Northwest, Pacific Northwest Drumline, Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline, Falun Data Association of WA Band, Sumner High School Marching Band, Kennedy High School Marching Band, and Seattle All City Marching Band.
Here are a few photos taken by Joshua Trujillo of www.seattlepi.com:
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BECU Seafair Pirate Balloon
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Calgary Round Up Band
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Seattle Chinatown Dragon Team & Seattle Chinese Community Girls’ Drill Team
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The Seattle Seahawks’ mascot, Blitz
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Drew Carey, Parade Grand Marshall and Co-Owner, Seattle Sounders FC
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Miss Seafair 2011, Veronica Quintero
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Falun Data Association of WA Band
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Blue Angels FA-18 Hornet
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Seafair Pirates pass out stickers and candy
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Young pirates (7 & 9)
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A Sihks of Washington performer
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Dramatic Drummers
Posted in Festivals & Competitions, HMBAA - Husky Alumni Band | Tagged: 56th Army Band, alumni, band, Blue Angels, Calgary Round Up Band, Cranbrook Girls' Bugle Band, Drew Carey, drumlines, drummer, Falun Data Association of WA Band, Get a Life Marching Band, Husky, Kennedy High School Marching Band, Navy Band Northwest, Pacific Northwest Drumline, Pirate Balloon, Queen, SeaFair, Seahawks mascot Blitz, Seattle All City Marching Band, Seattle Chinatown Dragon Team, Seattle Chinese Community Girls' Drill Team, Seattle Fire Department Pipe and Drum Band, Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline, Sumner High School Marching Band, Torchlight Parade, UW, Varsity | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on July 23, 2011
My 17th trumpet student has so many musicians in his family that he could start a new band—but with their wide variety of instruments, who knows what kind of music they would make together? Grandpa played the trumpet, too, and one Grandma plays the accordion, the other, the organ. Another relative plays piano, and an aunt sings opera. One uncle plays clarinet, another guitar. His dad (trombone), mom (organ), and sister (violin) round out the group. And my 11-year old student says his baby brother is going to learn to play trumpet, too!
That will make it a dozen family musicians. If they don’t form a band, maybe they should try having a recital once a year at someone’s home! Or maybe they should get organized now to participate in Seattle’s Honk! Fest West 2012 (see http://honkfestwest.com/ and my blog post of 24 March 2011). But that stuff is not very likely, is it? Just fun to imagine…
Anyway, my new student is very enthusiastic about improving. Last year was his first year in band, and he was the leader among about 15 other trumpeters. He’s using lessons this summer to get even better on his Olds Ambassador trumpet…it’s fun! He’s working through the exercises in an instruction book, including a DVD, and his mom says he wants to “learn a new song every week!” He simply wants to become the best he can be and play in the high school jazz band. He’ll be a sixth grader this fall at a private Christian school. I like his confidence, good manners, intelligence, positive attitude, healthy ambition, optimistic spirit, and ready smile. Give me another dozen just like him!
Posted in New Students - Intro Posts | Tagged: band, Christian, Honk! Fest West, lessons, Olds Ambassor, trumpet, trumpeters | 6 Comments »
Posted by glennled on July 22, 2011
“When all three of us salute the casket, that’s when you play ‘Taps,’” said the Sergeant of the Honor Guard, dressed to perfection in his military uniform.
About an hour later, the hearse drove up to the gravesite, and the pall bearers lifted the casket onto the frame directly above the dark, rectangular hole dug into the earth. As the large crowd gathered, a gentleman in a suit introduced himself and called me by name. He had
In Brice's Garden
seen me, dressed in all black, holding my cornet. He is the son of the deceased father, being laid to rest last Saturday alongside the body of his wife in the Resthaven 2 Section of Evergreen Washelli Cemetery along Highway 99 in north Seattle.
“I am a Vietnam veteran,” he said.
“So am I,” I replied. “It’s my honor and privilege to do this.”
He went to be seated at his place among the family and friends directly in front of the grave. From where I was standing near a distant Japanese maple tree, I saw the preacher say a few words, no more than five minutes, to the large crowd at the gravesite, and then I saw the three Washington National Guardsmen, two men and a woman, salute the casket. For the second time that day, I sounded the 24-notes of “Taps.”
The Honor Guard lifted the flag off the casket and carefully folded it into the familiar triangle. One passed it to the other, who took it to the son.
We have often seen this ritual, have we not, always done the same way, as our veterans are laid to rest in peace around the world? The guardsman kneels in front of the person, the widow or widower, the mother or father, the son or daughter, the sister or brother, whomever, and presents the flag, one white-gloved hand below, one above, and, looking him or her in the eyes, whispers something very short and dignified. Then the Honor Guard marches away and leaves.
With the gift of a perfectly folded flag, in one moment after a lifetime, the United States of America thanks the son and the surviving family for the armed service of the father. I shall never know how it feels to give or receive that flag. How could one maintain one’s composure at such a moment?
But I can give them “Taps,” and this I know: it’s all about love and honor before God—for that’s all there is to life.
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: band, cemetery, cornet, Evergreen Washelli, father, flag, Honor Guard, Taps, veteran, Vietnam, Washington National Guardsmen | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on July 19, 2011
Navy MoH, 1861; awarded to Navy, Marines & Coast Guard
Of the millions of men and women who have served in the United States military, including me,
Army MoH, 1862
only3,457 have received the Medal of Honor. Six are buried at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park on Hwy 99 in north Seattle.
These men, plus a Silver Star recipient, were honored on 16 July at a special ceremony, as reported in my blog post below (2 July). The ceremony featured the unveiling of seven large, permanent, granite markers, engraved with their individual stories of heroism. In August, these are to be placed at the respective graves, so that visitors may read them on site.
Here are some interesting facts about the Medal of Honor, extracted from the website of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (see http://www.cmohs.org/). The first medal was awarded in 1863, during the Civil War. During that war, in which there were about 625,000 deaths, 1,522 Medals of Honor were awarded. During the Korean War, 136 medals were awarded, and 248 were presented during the Vietnam War. Others: WWI (119); WWII (466); Iraq (4); and Afghanistan (5).
At last Saturday’s event, at least two local TV stations had cameras present and carried stories on the evening news. Please watch the video
Air Force created as separate military branch, 1947; distinct design of AF MoH authorized, 1956; AF design adopted, 1965
(1:48) from KOMO-TV for the excellent report, “Heroes honored: ‘They did things I can’t even imagine doing’.” See www.komonews.com/news/local/125696063.html. The editing and presentation are outstanding. Included among the scenes is one brief clip of me playing “Taps” shortly before the Retiring of the Colors.
As the audience of about 100 family and friends, many with raincoats, hats and umbrellas on this cool morning, slowly arrived, the Washington Letter Carriers’ Band played a 30-minute opening concert. Reportedly, this band is the oldest of its kind in the state, founded in the late 19th century.
Seattle’s soft rain fell upon us in the beginning and quit about mid-way through the ceremony. As the keynote speaker, MG James M. Collins, Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.), summarized each man’s story, he asked the family and friends of each hero to stand for recognition and honor. Scott Sheehan, General Manager of Evergreen Washelli, said that as a result of this event, another person who is
Glenn (right) sounds "Echo Taps" near firing squad - Photo by Janelle Squires
buried there has been identified as a recipient of the Silver Star and will also be honored with a marker.
Then a firing squad of seven fired three volleys. At the command, “Present Arms,” I commenced sounding “Echo Taps” while standing nearby. Roy Pollock, lead trumpeter of the WLC Band and my fellow member in the Husky Alumni Band, played the echo from near a large tree across the open field.
Families lay flowers on markers of the seven valiant men - Photo by Evergreen Washelli
Super Olds cornet (1954) - Photo by Janelle Squires
Roy Pollock waits (beneath tree) to sound echo in "Echo Taps" - Photo by Janelle Squires
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: Air Force, Army, band, cornet, echo taps, Evergreen Washelli, firing squad, heroes, Husky Alumni, James Collins, KOMO-TV, Medal of Honor, Navy, Scott Shehan, Silver Star, Super Olds, trumpeter, Washington Letter Carriers | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on July 2, 2011
Until this year, I did not realize that Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park is the final resting place for one Silver Star and six Medal of Honor recipients. The Silver Star recipient and two of the Medal of Honor recipients fought in Vietnam. Another two Medal of Honor recipents fought in World War II, and the other two fought in the Spanish/American War. These wars span 77 years, from 1898 to 1975.
I am so lucky. Just before the conclusion of a special ceremony for the public on Saturday, 16 July, I get to play “Taps” to honor these very special men. It is said that playing “Taps” is the most sacred duty of a bugler. I feel it. The last time I felt it, I was in high school when I played “Taps” at a ceremony in my home town, Sinton, Texas, on either Memorial Day or Veterans Day. I want to feel it again.
The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. with a half-hour concert by the Washington Letter Carriers Band. Next comes the Parade of Colors at 11 a.m., followed by The National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation. The speaker is Major General James (“Jimmy’) M. Collins, Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.). The program concludes with a salute from members of the Washington Army National Guard, followed by “Echo Taps,” the Benediction, and the Retiring of the Colors at about noon.
To pay tribute to these fallen heroes and to thank them and their families for their selfless and courageous service to our country, Evergreen Washelli is creating a permanent marker which will tell each medal recipient’s heroic story. You are invited to attend the ceremony, witness the unveiling of their permanent memorials, visit their graves, read their stories, and see images of the medals received. Their names: Albanese, Horton, Leisy, Nakamura, Bloch, Fadden and Alakulppi.
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: Alakulppi, Albanese, Bloch, bugle, echo taps, Evergreen Washelli, Fadden, Horton, James Collins, Leisy, Major General, Medal of Honor, Nakamura, Silver Star, Spanish/American War, Taps, Vietnam, Washington Army National Guard, Washington Letter Carriers Band, World War II | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on June 11, 2011
On 11 June, my trumpet students brought their horns, music, parents, relatives and friends to my home for the second annual trumpet recital. Eight of my 9 players were scheduled to play their various solos, four trumpeters in the morning and four in the afternoon. Some of the tunes came from musicals and movies, including “I Whistle a Happy Tune” (from The King and I); “Do-Re-Mi” (from The Sound of Music); “Chim Chim Cher-ee” (from Mary Poppins); and “Pirates of the Caribbean” (from the movie of the same name).
Other songs were patriotic, including “Yankee Doodle,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “America the Beautiful,” and “The Star Spangled Banner.” Still other pieces included “I’m Popeye the Sailor Man,” “This Land is Your Land,” “German Waltz,” “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In,” and “Happy Birthday.”
After each session, refreshments were served. I am proud of all my students for the improvements they have made and the excellent performances they gave this day. Private lessons work! We strive for excellence–“Become Your Best!” is our motto. 🙂
Posted in Musical Events at Home, Recitals | Tagged: America the Beautiful, Chim Chim Cher-ee, Do-Re-Mi, German Waltz, Happy Birthday, I Whistle a Happy Tune, I'm Popeye the Sailor Man, lessons, Mary Poppins, Pirates of the Caribbean, recital, solos, The King and I, The Sound of Music, The Star Spangled Banner, This Land is Your Land, trumpet, trumpeters, When the Saints Go Marchin' In, Yankee Doodle, You're a Grand Old Flag | 2 Comments »
Posted by glennled on June 9, 2011
1st Year Elementary Band
Happy young musicians make proud parents and teachers. The proof was in the final concert of the school year for the two elementary bands and the jazz combo which performed in the gym at Skyview Jr. High in Bothell on 31 May.
2nd-Year Elementary Band
The 58-member first-year band performed four movements of a piece by Jack Bullock: “Alpha Overture; Rock-It; Yuki; The Bingo Polka.”
The 37-member second-year band performed “Na Na Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by A.F. Dale, P.R. Leka and G. Carla, as arranged by Eric Osterling, and “Legend of the Alhambra,” by Mark Williams.
The 8-member jazz combo performed “Autumn Leaves” by Joseph Kosura and Johnny Mercer and “Watermelon Man” by Herbie Hancock.
Jazz Combo (plus vocalist, not shown)
The concert was interrupted to pay tribute to the leader, Mr. Shawn McGinn. During the past several weeks, band members had made donations toward the purchase of a gift, and the two assistants, Candice Palmberg (flutes) and me (brass), supplemented their contributions. In all, $152 was collected, and a gift certificate from Babies-R-Us was presented to him. He and his wife are expecting their first baby in early July! Mr. McGinn is going to be a wonderful father. With those two good parents, that kid is very lucky!
The brass section of the 2nd-year elementary had secretly prepared its own special treat for Mr. McGinn. As a surprise and on behalf of all his students, they played the chorus of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” to honor him for his inspirational, fun instruction and leadership. Mr. McGinn encouraged everyone to stay in practice during the summer and come back next fall for a very special school year in band!
Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: Autumn Leaves, band, Bothell, Herbie Hancock, jazz, Johnny Mercer, Legend of the Alhambra, Mr. Shawn McGinn, Na Na Hey Kiss Him Goodbye, Skyview Jr. High, Watermelon Man, When Irish Eyes Are Smiling | Leave a Comment »
trumpeter with his bright eyes, wide smile, and salt and pepper beard is a fellow-member of the Husky Marching Band Alumni Association (HMBAA). A few minutes before, Dr. Brad McDavid, Director of Athletic Bands at UW, had asked for a show of hands of those Alumni Band members who graduated in the 1990’s: many hands were raised; 1980’s, fewer hands; 1970’s, very few hands; 1960’s, one hand—mine!
Glenn's Trumpet Notes 