Saw two performances over the weekend.

First was the  InternationalYouth Orchestra at the Reston Town Center.  This is a group of highly talented 8 to 21 year olds from the USA and South America who come together to play performances.  Here's the set list:

- Carmen Fantasy, Pablo de Sarasate
- Bacchanale, Camille Saint-Saens
- William Tell Overture, Gioachino Rossini
- Alborada, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
- Light Calvary Overture, Franz von Suppe
- Malambo, Alberto Ginastera
- Danzon No. 2, Arturo Marquez

It was wonderful.  The kids played their little butts off with intense energy. By the end of the performance, we were all standing on our feet swept up in that energy. 

An interesting thing about this performance was that it was outdoors under a clear pavilion and unamplified.  I moved up because I had a hard time hearing the violin soloist, who was terrific.  There is a fountain behind the pavilion, and at times that noise was louder than the orchestra.  Also, causal walkers-by tended to talk over the music, as if they were in a bar. But the energy was so intense that by the end everyone was wholeheartedly with them. 

Second was the United States Air Force Band playing at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington Virginia.  It was the first time the band had a 4th of July performance at their new venue, and I knew it would be good.  

But first, a little history. My dad and grandfather (Tata) were musicians, with Tata having played in the US Army Band from the 1920's until the 1950's.  Dad loved packing us all in the car and driving into DC to hear all the service bands at the Capitol, the Jefferson Memorial, or the Watergate (a concert barge on the Potomac river before all the hoo-ra in the 1970's). I have to admit that I liked the music, but it wasn't all that exciting to me.  They played lots of marches and symphonic pieces, and a show tune or two.   (But I think it may have helped develop my love of wide harmonies and chords with a touch of dissonance.  That always gave me chills.)

Move forward to last year.  I saw that the Airmen of Note, the Air Force's Jazz band, was giving a free performance with Kurt Elling as the guest.  I LOVE Kurt Elling, but tix to see him at the Kennedy Center are very  expensive, so I never saw him live.   A free performance -- I'd be there with bells on.  So on the day of the performance Hurricaine Hanna blew through town.  Big rain, wind, etc. and I was thinking that the performance would be cancelled.  But then things cleared up.  I decided I would trek alone to the show and take my chances.  There were only about 70 people in a large auditorium, but the show went on. 

I sat in the 3rd row on the aisle, and didn't know what to expect.  I'd heard that the Airmen of Note were great, but remembering my experience with the service bands  when I was a kid, I didn't expect much.  The show opened with Duke Ellington's Cottontail, and the band swung so hard I nearly fell out of my chair.  They were magnificant.  I was dumbfounded.  A sargent named Page sang a couple standards, and she was one of the best singers I'd heard in ages.  Kurt Elling was wonderful.  I left feeling like the gods of music had shined upon that small audience.  

I went back for other performances not only of the Airmen of Note, but of the other Air Force Band configurations.  All were wonderful.   So I wasn't going to miss the 4th of July at the new Memorial.  I called my mom and we grabbed Eddie, our 92 year old drummer friend who lives on her street.  We got there early and set-up our chairs in the front row.  

Here's the synopsis from their web site: "At the Air Force Memorial, the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants will present "Red, White and Boom!" at 8 p.m. This will be conducted by The Air Force Band's new commander, Lt. Col. Alan Sierichs. He has chosen several patriotic favorites for this program, including "This Land Is Your Land," "America the Beautiful" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Euphonium soloist CMSgt Ann Hinote will be featured playing Buckley's "An American Portrait." The concert will end with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." Come enjoy an inspiring concert and a front row seat for the National Capitol fireworks!"

Highlights:  The Euphonium solo was beautiful.  It was a montage of familiar patriotic melodies and when she played America the Beautiful, it was perfect.  The Singing Sargents were fab.  They sang America the Beautiful channeling Ray Charles with a little extra country, and we were all supposed to sing along.  I couldn't; I was tearing up.  They ended with the Stars and Stripes Forever, and the fireworks started before they were done.  Then it got interesting.

The band was playing with their backs to the view.  Mom, Eddie and I held hands and walked right in front of the band to get a better view.  But then a small group of people started walking around the back of the band - which I'm sure did not make them happy.  We followed suit and ended up standing on the top riser that the Singing Sargents had used, with a beautiful view of the entire show.  Eddie was feeling a little unsteady so he held on to my waist the whole time.  There was something perfect about this.  The band didn't seem to mind, but I think they were a little surprised that we'd be so bold.  

So that's the end of the post - sorry it got a little long.  I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!