standing in the arc - The Blue Devils

I got a chance to do something Wednesday evening that I don't get to do very often, but that always gives me a lift musically. I got to watch an open rehearsal of my one of my favorite musical groups, the Concord Blue Devils. I've been a fan of BD since they first emerged on the competitive marching scene in the early 70's, and have been an admirer ever since.

Several things stood out for me in this experience:

1. First and foremost, standing and listening to 70 very highly-trained and -disciplined brass players play as one voice. REMARKABLE sound and blend. No one stuck out, no one tried to "be heard above the others"; the story here was complete unity and being on the same page. The sound was glorious: loud only at the peaks when needed; controlled; lush, beautiful, in tune and together. The rehearsal was led by my friend John Meehan (brass director of the group) and Wayne Downey, legendary musical director and brass arranger for the Devils over the past 34 years (and one of my personal heroes as a composer-arranger).

2. The warmth and friendliness of each member with whom I spoke. These folks really care about their image to the outside world, and they are great people all-around. Each was courteous and very helpful.

3. The highest level of discipline imaginable. Though the entire group (numbering around 150) spent the last 45 minutes or so in a rehearsal on the field that contained much "down" time--pauses for cleanup, giving changes in the program, running sections again and again--no one ever acted up, much less even spoke, out of turn. The attitude of the entire group seemed to communicate that this rehearsal is for everybody, and only those folks who need to talk should talk; everyone else needs to listen and learn. Amazing--choirs, bands, and other kinds of organizations could certainly learn a lot from this kind of presentation.

4. The discipline started at the top, with the instructors: each instruction was given peacefully, with great respect, and many "thank you's" from the staff to the group. No one raised a voice, and all constructive criticism was spoken with great respect for the hearer, and surrounded by an equal (or greater) amount of postiive praise for things done well.

All of this is amazing, and then of course the obvious result is one incredible musical statement by a group brass players, drummers, percussionists, dancers, and visual artists coming together to communicate with one voice an amazing musical program of astonishing depth and richness.

The Blue Devils went on to win the following evening (as they have been doing with alarming regularity this entire summer season!), and it's no surprise. They have the winning combination of great vision, great program, great teaching, and great concept of individual responsibility and integrity. I wish them the very best this summer!