Posts Tagged ‘cornet’
Posted by glennled on July 2, 2012
War of 1812 Monument (front side), Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Evergreen-Washelli, Seattle
For six years, the Washington State Society, United States Daughters of 1812 (WSSUSD 1812), labored hard on its project to dedicate a monument honoring those veterans of the War of 1812 who died in Washington Territory. At last, the ceremony was held on Saturday, 23 June, at Evergreen-Washelli, Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in north Seattle. The war had started on 18 June, 200 years earlier, when President James Madison signed the declaration passed by Congress.
The beautiful monument at the foot of the Bell Tower was unveiled by WSSUSD 1812 President Linda Rae Lind of Bremerton. Inscribed on both sides are the names of 16 veterans for whom there are authentic records verifying that they served in the War of 1812 and died in Washington Territory. (Washington became the 42nd state in 1889.)
War of 1812 Monument (back side), Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Evergreen-Washelli, Seattle
Of the 16, Abel Ostrander was born first (1777) and William M. Stewart died last (1885), a span of 108 years. Ostrander came from New York and died in Cowlitz County in 1859. Stewart (born in 1794) came from Ohio and died in Pierce County.
Washington State Archivist, Jerry Handfield, was the guest speaker on this day. To conclude the outdoor ceremony, two members of the Washington State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (WASSAR) fired their muskets in a rifle salute, immediately followed by the sounding of “Echo Taps” by me and Lt. Col. Bob O’Neal, U.S. Army (Ret.) who is WASSAR Color Guard Commander. I play a 1954 Super Olds cornet, and Bob plays a 1927 King Silvertone trumpet. Incidentally, 2012 is also the 150th anniversary of the composition of “Taps.”
The War of 1812, fought against the British in the U.S.A., Canada, and in the Great Lakes and on the high seas, is sometimes called the Second War of Independence. It is famous for many things still well-known in American culture. Let me list a few: first, the text of our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” was written by Francis Scott Key during the defense of Ft. McHenry near Baltimore, MD, from British naval bombardment in September, 1814. Second, “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution, was never defeated in battle. Named by George Washington, she is the oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat and is berthed in Boston. Third, in the midst of the bloody battle between two frigates, USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon, Master Commandant James Lawrence, captain of the Chesapeake, mortally wounded, issued his famous, final command to his men, “Don’t give up the ship!” Fourth, after a naval battle on Lake Erie in September, 1813, Commodore Oliver Hazard
“Echo Taps” for War of 1812 Vets who died in Washington, sounded by Glenn Ledbetter, VFW Post 1040 Bugler, and Col. Bob O’Neal, SAR (not shown)
Gale Palmer and Stan Wills, SAR, fire musket salute
Perry, U.S. Navy, penned the famous words, “We have met the enemy and they are ours…” Fifth, the British burned the White House and the city of Washington in August, 1814. Sixth, in January, 1815, as the war drew to a close, Major General Andrew Jackson (“Old Hickory”) defeated the British Lieutenant General Sir Edward Pakenham in a lop-sided victory at the Battle of New Orleans. Seventh, Robert Fulton invented the “torpedo,” now known as an underwater mine, and designed the world’s first steam-powered warship, Demologos (later renamed Fulton).
The on-site photos in this post are courtesy of the Washington State Society, United States Daughters of 1812. Please click on any image to enlarge it. For further information on the War of 1812 and the organizations mentioned in this post, please see the following:
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Men from WASSAR and ladies from Washington Regency Society (WRS). Bob O’Neal (white hat) sounded “Echo Taps” with Glenn Ledbetter.
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Men from WASSAR by life-sized replica of the Liberty Bell. L to R: Lee Thomasson, Gale Palmer, Bob O’Neal, Stan Wills.
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Carole Holt (L), President National of the National Society Daughters of
American Colonists, and Linda Rae Lind (R), President, Washington State President, United States Daughters of 1812
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Francis Scott Key spots the garrison flag flying over the ramparts of Ft. McHenry after a day and night of constant bombardment by British ships. Illustration by Percy Moran.
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The garrison flag which flew over Ft. McHenry during the bombardment of 13-14 September 1814. Note the 15 stars and 15 stripes.
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Splendid bicentenial book commemorating the War of 1812, published by National Geographic
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Two-disc DVD set available
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War of 1812 Monument (front side), Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Evergreen-Washelli, Seattle
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War of 1812 Monument (back side), Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Evergreen-Washelli, Seattle
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Gale Palmer and Stan Wills, WASSAR, fire flintlock musket salute
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“Echo Taps” for War of 1812 Vets who died in Washington, sounded by Glenn Ledbetter, VFW Post 1040 Bugler, and Bob O’Neal, WASSAR (not shown)
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: cornet, echo taps, Evergreen Washelli, King Silvertone, Regency Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Super Olds, trumpet, United States Daughters of 1812, USD 1812, Veterans Memorial Cemetery, War of 1812 | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on March 9, 2012
It’s not often that you can hear outstanding jazz trumpeters play in a family-friendly venue, but this Saturday night you have that rare opportunity! Jonathan (Jon) Pugh, solo jazz cornet and trumpet artist, is playing at 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 March, at Third Place Books at 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park. And it’s free!
Meanwhile, if you wish, you can buy an inexpensive meal from the several restaurants surrounding the audience and stage, and you can browse the adjacent bookstore, before and after the entertainment.
His jazz music is melodic! You don’t have to go to a nightclub or bar. Kids of all ages are welcome. It’s totally casual. It’s fun!
Perhaps you have not heard of Jon Pugh. Well, he’s been playing a long time with some famous groups, including being a featured soloist for 30 years with the legendary Don Lanphere (soprano, alto, and tenor saxophonist). Since 1982, he has been a recording artist and clinician representing Conn-Selmer:Holton trumpets/cornets. As a music educator, he’s known for his passion to both entertain, inform, and inspire every member of his audiences. Wouldn’t you like to experience that? Then come hear him, free!
For more information about the event, his jazz style, his discography of CDs, and his background and credentials, please see the following:
Among those listed as artistic influences upon Jon are Tony Frucella, Chet Baker, Clifford Brown and Oscar Peterson.
Posted in Professional Concerts | Tagged: Chet Baker, Clifford Brown, cornet, cornetist, Don Lamphere, jazz, Jonathan Pugh, Oscar Peterson, solo, Third Place Books, Tony Frucella, trumpet, trumpeter | 4 Comments »
Posted by glennled on January 5, 2012
WAARNG Honor Guard reads the deceased veterans' names
Who’s ever heard of the VMT Program? Very few. There’s been almost no news coverage. Yet, as Post Bugler for VFW Post 1040 in Lynnwood, I have played “Taps” three times in the past three weeks for almost 600 veterans who recently died in King County, Washington—twice at ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Evergreen Washelli and once at Acacia Memorial Park in north Seattle. And that’s going to continue. What’s this all about?
All veterans are eligible for military funeral honors, but most survivors do not request them. Before 2010 in Washington state, when the moment for honors had passed, that was that. But now, tribute is later paid to them in absentia by the the Washington Army National Guard (WAARNG) through its Veterans Memorial Tribute Program (VMTP). Now, none are forgotten.
"Ready" to fire three volleys, VFW Post 1040 Firing Squad
The Honor Guard Program of the Army National Guard in Washington and 7 other states is headed by William A. (Bill) Graham, Jr., Regional Director and State Coordinator, located in Camp Murray near Ft. Lewis. When a person dies in Washington, he says, the funeral director typically submits a death worksheet to the Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics. On the worksheet, Question #12 asks whether the deceased was a veteran. Quarterly, the state forwards a list of all such veterans to the WAARNG which then checks this list against a national database of all veterans who already have been accorded military honors. It turns out that about 65% of eligible veterans do not receive military funeral honors. The VMTP remedies this.
Presenting the flag
WAARNG is the first in the nation to institute this tribute program. When VMTP first started in 2010, the state sent them data for 2008, 2009, and 2010 (to date). The 2008 and 2009 batches contained about 14,000 names each!
Mr. Graham says the goal is to furnish an Honor Guard for these mass committal services in all 39 counties of the state. The Honor Guard renders military funeral honors en masse for each new set of deceased veterans. Most are concentrated in King County. For a KREM-TV report on a memorial service held last October in Medical Lake in Spokane County, see http://www.krem.com/news/local/Tribute-program-honors-veterans-gaining-local-support-132498463.html.
With gratitude, respect and honor, the final salute
At a typically brief tribute ceremony, the names of the deceased vets are read aloud, a bell is rung, a prayer is offered, a poem is read, and the nation’s deep gratitude is expressed. In north King County, this is done twice a month by WAARNG’s Bellingham unit which usually reads about 200 new names each time—at Evergreen Washelli on the first Tuesday and at Acacia on the third Tuesday of each month. VFW Post 1040 furnishes the firing squad and the bugler—me, playing my Super Olds cornet, serial number 133097 with my Bach 8C mouthpiece. Similar honors are rendered monthly in south King County. Mr. Graham says that in less populous counties, the tribute ceremony would be rendered less frequently, depending upon the need. The public is welcome to attend.
Photos by Richard Larson at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Evergreen Washelli; click on any photo to enlarge it.
WE REMEMBER THEM [excerpt]
At the rising of the sun and at its going down
We remember them…
As long as we live, they too will live;
for they are now a part of us
as we remember them.
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: Acacia, Bach mouthpiece, bugler, cornet, Evergreen Washelli, funeral, Honor Guard, honors, King County, memorial, military, Super Olds, Taps, veterans, VFW Post 1040, Washington Army National Guard | 4 Comments »
Posted by glennled on December 31, 2011
Glenn Ledbetter on cornet
After a wonderful, hearty dinner on Christmas Eve, we carried on our traditional family program: readings from Isaiah and Luke about the birth of the Christ child, prayers, carols, gift opening, and snacks. Meanwhile, about four cameras were continuously flashing and whirring. For music, my wife passed out our colorful booklet of carols (which she produced herself) and played the piano while we sang. Normally, I play one or two tunes on my cornet, too, always with her accompaniment. This year, I soloed. I played “Angels We Have Heard on High” straight as written, but to “Santa Baby,” I added a little fun with some special sound effects using my Harmon (wah-wah) mute in the middle of the piece and a long, quick glissando from G to an accented High G at the end! (Smiles and applause!)
Happy New Year! 😉
Posted in Musical Events at Home | Tagged: Angels We Have Heard on High, carols, Christmas Eve, cornet, glissando, music, mute, Santa Baby, solos | 2 Comments »
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 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 April 10, 2011
All-City Honors Elementary Band, Seattle Public Schools, 9 April 2011
My very first trumpet student played in the concert performed last Saturday by the 2011 Seattle Public Schools’ All-City Honors Elementary Band and Orchestra at Whitman Middle School in Ballard. He’s now a 5th-grader at Lowell Elementary School (see my blog posts of 25 May 2010 and 14 August 2009). Actually, he plays a cornet.
The 150-member band representing 43 schools packed the large stage, and the audience was full, too. He was one of only 17 trumpet players in this honors band. Think of that—one of the best trumpeters of his age in Seattle—that’s impressive! The band’s guest conductor was Joel Orsen, a graduate of the University of Washington, who now teaches at Whitman Middle School and plays in the Highline Community Symphonic Band and the Seattle Sounders FC Soundwave. The talented band sounded very solid when playing three pieces: “America the Beautiful,” “Aura Lee,” and “Grand March: The Australian Land.”
All-City Honors Elementary Orchestra, Seattle Public Schools, 9 April 2011
First on the program was the Honors Orchestra conducted by Elisabeth Stoyanovich, who teaches strings at Whitman and is Music Director of the Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra. At this level, the orchestra was comprised solely of strings. There were 97 students representing 39 schools—a great honor, indeed!
Posted in School Concerts, Student Competitions, Honors & Awards | Tagged: All-City, America the Beautiful, Aura Lee, Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra, band, cornet, elementary, Grand March: The Australian Land, honors, Joel Orsen, Lowell, orchestra, Seattle, Seattle Sounders FC Soundwave, trumpet, Whitman Middle School | 2 Comments »
Posted by glennled on December 26, 2010
Glenn Ledbetter plays his 56-year old Super Olds cornet
Know how a song pops into your mind from nowhere, seems significant, and won’t go away? Early during the last week of Advent before Christmas Day, my wife “heard” me sweetly playing “O Come, All Ye Faithful” on my cornet on Christmas Eve. So on Thursday I practiced it, and on Friday night in our living room filled with family members, I played it at a moderate beat with plenty of vibrato and careful phrasing and dynamics. The first verse was solo, and on subsequent verses, she joined in on the piano, and everyone sang.
And then we sang lots of other carols, too, from the booklet of lyrics which she self-published a few years ago. That’s part of the way we celebrate on Christmas Eve (see my post of 30 December 2009, on the duet we played last year—“O Holy Night”—and more).
Late Christmas morning, some dear relatives who were not with us on Christmas Eve came over to visit, and after some delicious treats, we repeated the performance. They arrived happy and left happy. And so, as Dickens’ Tiny Tim said, “A Merry Christmas to us all; God bless us, every one!”
Posted in Musical Events at Home | Tagged: Advent, Christmas Eve, cornet, Dickens, dynamics, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Holy Night, phrasing, piano, solo, Super Olds, Tiny Tim, vibrato | 2 Comments »
Posted by glennled on May 25, 2010
Surprise! the condu
ctor at the spring concert last night at an elementary school in downtown Seattle also conducted at the previous
school concert I attended two weeks ago in North Seattle (see post below). He does double duty–whew! That would exhaust me.
At this school, the music program consists of four parts: beginning strings, brass, and winds; intermediate winds and strings; advanced band and strings; and orchestra. For the concert program, there were 8 group performances. My fourth-grade cornet student is in the Intermediate Winds group, along with two trumpet players. I recognized his tone. He has progressed so fast and far this year! His group played “Sawmill Creek,” “Regal March,” and “Minor Rock.” He played well and was very well behaved the entire night.
I was proud of him, but not nearly as much, I’m sure, as were his grandparents, sister, and parents, who filmed the event. They said many musicians from this school eventually feed into Garfield High School. And as we know, Garfield recently won the nationwide Essentially Ellington jazz competition in New York for the fourth time. Is that the direction my guy is headed? Let’s just wait and see what happens next year…one step at a time, please. Remember the adage, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: advanced, band, brass, concert, cornet, downtown Seattle, elementary, Essentially Ellington, Garfield High School, intermediate, jazz, Minor Rock, music, New York, North Seattle, orchestra, Regal March, Sawmill Creek, school, trumpet | 4 Comments »
Glenn's Trumpet Notes 