The big event of the fall
For me the big event in the fall was the Salvation Army Brass Spectacular late October. This was the most fun I’ve had in years!
Jamie Hood put everything together, hired all the top professionals brass players in Houston, flew in a few guys from the New York Staff Band, had both Steven Bulla and William Himes come, and to top it all, invite Steven Mead to be the euphonium soloist!
The band sounded spectacular, and we played classics I’ve haven’t played in years, like Call of the Righteous, Celebration, Song of the Brother, the Red Shield. The trombone section was made up of me, Rick White, John McCroskey and David Waters, the latter two of the Houston Symphony.
Obviously, a lot of the guys had never played British-style brass band before, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen these seasoned pros been this enthusiastic before! Definitely the highlight of the fall!