Going Back !

When Spirit of America went to South Africa they made many friends. One of them was able to come see us this past weekend.  I could tell he was in town when I could hear African drumming in the distance from my house !   It is so amazing to have made friendships like this that last the time and distance.  Soon it will be our turn to go back and fulfill one of the promises that we made- to go help in person. While we have been skyping lessons every week, Spirit had made a promise to come back for five years to help both with how to take care of their instruments and for lessons in person for them.   It is a long term commitment that was made to support the kids and really make their dreams come true. Its also a great time to deepen our friendships that were made the last time we went.

Whats next ?

I hear Fife and Drum is going to Deep River...will post the details when I know something. I love watching them because they are so different in how they present themselves on the street. The Marching band is so modern day while the Fife and Drum Corps is like watching our history stride down the street. They have a new facebook page. If you have an account just look up Spirit of America fife and drum corps..

Patriotism lives!

It's so easy to be convinced that the pride we have in our country is fading, but after walking next to the band in Norwood on the fourth of July, I can tell you that it's clearly alive and well. It seems sometimes people don't know what to do exactly, but here they shouted "play for us",cheered and clapped along when the band played, police saluted the Flag as the Honor Guard walked by, and the children danced, waived, blew their kalamazoos or stared in wide-eyed amazement....

The decision to commit to marching in parades isn't done lightly. It's hard to give up your own Fourth and give strangers a reason to cheer, but this band did it and did themselves proud.

At the end of the last parade this band didn't let down, they played right to their last step. That's the American way.

So amazing

I'm standing with the band waiting for step off and all the alumni that could come are here marching again! Some have alot of earned gray hair, but the atmosphere here is pumped- and it's the second parade of the day! Awesome! Still the Spirit of America.

Happy Fourth everyone!

Sitting in the shade near the kitchen trailer as we comb thru blueberries, sniffing the grill smoke with charcoal...this has been the band's way of celebration for many, many years. This is the last season with the kitchen trailer. It's funny, but I had expected it be with us forever...

Become Something

I have a story to tell about a red trumpet that has no end...yet.

There is a marching band (click here) that has a dream to share the joy of music done well.  With that dream came the idea of sharing instruments (click here) that have been unused. If they were broken the band would fix it and share it, if it was forgotten somewhere the band would treasure again as a new gift for a child whose dreams had died (or never had a chance to dream to begin with).

There once was a Red Trumpet that was bought for a girl by her dad.  This trumpet had been outgrown by the girl, so the sad red trumpet was marched to the attic. There it lay dusty and forgotten.

One day the dad went to the grocery store in the next town and he saw a group of musicians at the grocery store asking for instruments to give to boys and girls that would otherwise never have the dream of becoming Something. And the dad remembered the Red Trumpet in the attic.

This Red trumpet was given to the musicians who joyfully used it to play for a flash mob (click here) before they brought the trumpet to where it would become Something.

Then it was packed very carefully and shipped on a long boat ride for two months to Durban, South Africa.

When it arrived it was pulled out of the crate that had been its home for the last few months it was lovingly lifted by a excited girl in red herself!

Here is a chance for both the red trumpet and the girl in red to become Something....