The few, the proud, the Marine Band
Feb. 15th, 2004 09:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xaaraIn a word: wow. In six words: what colorblind idiot designed their uniforms? It's just a little difficult to take a band seriously when they're so weighted down with medals that they sound like jingle bells whenever they move, and when the members who wear skirts look like they just stepped into dark blue pillowcases. But aesthetics aside, they sounded wonderful today at UMD, where I went to watch a Concerto for Five Percussionists and Band by Jonathan Leshnoff. (Incidentally, the band also played Skalkottas' Greek Dances, R. Strauss' Serenade in E-flat for Thirteen Winds, Janacek's Sinfonietta, and of course a Sousa - his The Gallant Seventh.) The percussion thing was interesting, but nothing catchy or even very memorable. Using bass bows on cymbals was something I'd encountered before, but I never thought of using bows on vibes. They make a spooky sound that sounds like something out of a thirties horror movie. Maybe that's how they made the sounds in thirties horror movies.
Other than the concert, I didn't do much of any consequence today - I started seriously reading For Whom the Bell Tolls, which I put off for as long as possible earlier this week. Fortunately, I'm a fast reader. I can probably finish it in a few hours.
I think we're going to be getting a percussion ensemble together at Youth Orchestra, which could prove a lot of fun, if people show up and practice. I want to play more ethnic music - I haven't done any Bossa or Samba or Songo since I switched from serious set drumming to more orchestral stuff. I'd like to get back into the Latin groove, especially if we play something with a marimba part.
Presidents' Day is tomorrow, which means...free admission to Mount Vernon! The annual family trip to a place so clogged with humanity that it's a wonder we're not all trampled within the hour! The invariably soggy grounds of George Washington's former home, where we get to watch people in red uniforms line up to shoot blanks at each other! If we're really lucky, we'll even get to traipse through ol' George's house and comment on the decor! I'm overjoyed!
:|
Actually, it's not as bad as all that. We just go every year, and it gets slightly tedious after a bit. But maybe it won't rain for once and I can find myself a quiet corner and a notebook and scribble away while everyone else pokes around the stables and the smokehouse. Now that would be my ideal day.
Other than the concert, I didn't do much of any consequence today - I started seriously reading For Whom the Bell Tolls, which I put off for as long as possible earlier this week. Fortunately, I'm a fast reader. I can probably finish it in a few hours.
I think we're going to be getting a percussion ensemble together at Youth Orchestra, which could prove a lot of fun, if people show up and practice. I want to play more ethnic music - I haven't done any Bossa or Samba or Songo since I switched from serious set drumming to more orchestral stuff. I'd like to get back into the Latin groove, especially if we play something with a marimba part.
Presidents' Day is tomorrow, which means...free admission to Mount Vernon! The annual family trip to a place so clogged with humanity that it's a wonder we're not all trampled within the hour! The invariably soggy grounds of George Washington's former home, where we get to watch people in red uniforms line up to shoot blanks at each other! If we're really lucky, we'll even get to traipse through ol' George's house and comment on the decor! I'm overjoyed!
:|
Actually, it's not as bad as all that. We just go every year, and it gets slightly tedious after a bit. But maybe it won't rain for once and I can find myself a quiet corner and a notebook and scribble away while everyone else pokes around the stables and the smokehouse. Now that would be my ideal day.
