Kirksville, MO

This concert was at the Truman State Auditorium. I like this picture because it looks like UFO's are getting ready to abduct the bassoons. :) Our conductor, Colonel Palmatier, is a graduate of Truman State. There were lots of students in attendance, both high school and college. I participated in the evening's pre-concert talk where we answer questions and tell the audience a little bit about ourselves and our experiences in the Army. I was asked to talk about what it was like to go through Basic Combat Training! I was a little nervous speaking to the crowd, but it was a fun experience and a new way to interact with our audience members. 

Hannibal, MO

We played a matinee concert in Hannibal, Missouri, the boyhood home of Mark Twain and where Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn were set. We actually stayed in a hotel across the river in Quincy, Illinois. It was fun to come play in such an historic community. The Field Band works hard but likes to have a good time too. Here are a few pictures of some of the goofier moments I've experienced so far. 

Barack made a cameo on Bus 2! 

You never know what is going to end up in your bell if you leave your horn unattended, (it's a whiffle ball if you can't tell).

Jacksonville, IL

After playing in some really beautiful halls we were back in the gym for a performance at Illinois College. Sometimes the gym crowds are really fun and inspiring, and this was definitely the case in Jacksonville. You can't tell in this picture but there were people on all three sides of us and even standing in the upstairs foyer. I particularly enjoyed the color guard from the local American Legion chapter. 

Rolla, MO

Wow, look at that crowd! We had an awesome concert in Rolla, which is right next to Ft. Leonard Wood. It was fun to revisit the Wal-Mart were I made my very first post-basic training stop with my parents. It is good to be back in Missouri under much better circumstances. The crowd in Rolla was great. I am very behind on my blogging so will do several short entries for each stop & try and catch up to where we are now. 

O'Fallon, MO

I am finally back in Missouri, my summer home for 2008. :) O'Fallon was a nice town, and the concert had one of our most enthusiastic audiences. There were many students from the local high school and it made the experience lots of fun. This is me with the O'Fallon Fire Department Honor Guard, who presented the colors at the concert. They definitely win the prize for spiffiest uniforms! 

Here is Chris and Colonel Palmatier holding a pre-concert talk with the audience. These are a great chance to get to know members of the band and ask any burning questions about what we do. 

We are staying in O'Fallon for two days so that our many chamber groups could go play and have master classes in local schools. My group went this morning and it was an enjoyable chance to interact with students. Tomorrow we are off to Rolla, which is right near Ft. Leonard Wood! 

Carbondale, IL

One of our two Illinois stops this tour was in Carbondale. It was nice to play at a university and with a packed house! The hall was very pretty too. Was also great to play again after a day off. We did the Finale from Barnes Symphony No. 3. 

We rotate different marches each night, and it is kind of fun to get to know these classics intimately. This night was Fairest of the Fair, one of my favorites. I can't wait until I'm an old-timer and know every march on the face of the planet, but for now they are still challenging and fun. 

 

So perhaps the most unique moment of the night was a post-concert trip to Buffalo Wild Wings where we happened to run into the dubious celebrity presence of none other than Ron Jeremy.... 

Paducah, KY

We made our way back to Kentucky for one last concert in the home state of Colonel Sanders. We played in one of the best halls so far. It was three stories and gorgeous! The crowd was full and fun. Paducah was also special because we had our first "Maintenance Day"  here. We generally play a concert every night for ten days and then have one day off. I spent my day off not doing anything particularly productive. I got my laundry done, ate at a nice Chinese place called Chong's, did some exploring and shopping. I found a Sonic and had my first Cherry Limeade since basic! So thank you, Paducah, for being a lovely host. Now back on the road!