Band Camp Recital Night...

It was so good to see Captain (soon-to-be-Major) Michelle Rakers, USMC, at Handsome's Adult Band Camp at Allegheny College this week. Thursday night was  recital night for each of the band sections. Michelle is conducting the band this  week, but Thursday night she was able to take the night off to listen to and play music.   Handsome and I were glad to see her again, after not being able to travel last year.  Her upcoming promotion was cause for us to celebrate with her, too! Michelle is currently Assistant Director of the Marine Band in Washington, D.C.,  "The President's Own".  Hers is a prestigious job, to be sure! With her promotion to Major,  she will gain additional responsibilities with the band.

Of course, Handsome wanted a photo with Michelle.   We've both become very fond of her. Not only is she a stellar musician, but she's  a great person with a contagious energy and enthusiasm. She's a lot of fun, too!

This was one of the A.P.E. performances. (Adult Percussion Ensemble. lol) They  actually did two numbers, one of which was arranged by our good Florida friend,  Jim Roytz. The piece is a set of variations on "When Johnny Comes Marching Home".   Jim and Handsome perform together with the Suncoast Community Band in  Sarasota. We love spending time with Jim and his wife, who is also an  accomplished musician. Jim is a percussionist and Diane plays the trumpet.    The piece was really lovely, and naturally, highlighted the various parts of the  percussion section of the band. The band "heartbeat" musicians were a joy to watch.

 There was also a German-American Band ensemble which had us in  stitches. Michelle joined their group and played cornet. She was obviously  having a great time, and I actually have videos to prove it! (I especially like  how she pointed out to her stand-mate where they were in the piece!)  I just had to get a picture of her in the official G-A ensemble t-shirts, too.

 

Handsome played cymbals with the German-American band, along with  Barbara Bailey (widow of famous percussionist, Buster Bailey), and well- known bass drummer, Doug McCleod. I asked permission to be able to tell you that in this photograph there is a total of 247 years between them! (Doug is 92, Barbara is 85 and Handsome is 70!!!) Their resumes are just as impressive as they are. We always look forward to seeing them, either here in Allegheny or when they travel south to perform in Florida.
Last night was their whole band concert. I'll have photographs to share  on Monday as we prepare to depart Meadville and turn toward Wisconsin.

Music At Allegheny...

Friday night was an evening to remember. Handsome has been attending the Allegheny College Band Camp for Adult Musicians in Meadville, Pennsylvania.

Seventy seven musicians gathered from around the country to participate in five days of music rehearsals, classes and camaraderie culminating in a Friday evening concert.

The conductor for this weeks' rehearsals and performance was Captain Michelle Rakers. She is the Assistant Musical Director of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band.

This quote is from their website: “The Marine Band’s mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the commandant of the Marine Corps.”

Allegheny College Adult Band Camp Band

Not only is Michelle an accomplished musician with a Master's Degree in music performance (she plays the trumpet/cornet), but her consummate skill as a conductor was apparent from the instant she lifted her baton. Combine those skills with her thousand-watt personality, and by the end of the first rehearsal she owned very musician at camp. Everyone enjoyed working with her this past week.

Captain Rakers conducting the band with a trumpet solo by Jim Seidel

The concert included marches, a "Sound of Music" medley and music to fill the entire auditorium. It was wonderful!

Percussion Section l-r: Barbara Bailey, John Fleming, Rob Roth, Handsome and Doug McCleod

I love this photograph because it shows the entire percussion section hard at work. I have to tell you that the two musicians on each end of the section (Barbara Bailey on the left and Doug McCleod on the right) have 173 years between them! (And don't tell anyone, but they're dating!)

Doug is highly respected in concert band circles for his playing expertise and knowledge of, history of, and performance skills on the bass drum. He is ninety years old and still going strong.

Barbara is the widow of Elden Chandler "Buster" Bailey, who was the principal percussionist of the New York Philharmonic for over 35 years, and is a skilled percussionist in her own right. She always manages to delight us with stories of the world-famous musicians who were entertained in her and Buster's home. Barbara is 83 years young.

Conductor, Captain Michelle Rakers with the Percussion Section

At the end of the concerts, all of the musicians frequently have photographs taken with their sections. This year, everyone was so delighted with Captain Rakers, that she was asked by each group to stand with them. All of them fondly hope that she will return in future years to conduct other weeks, but everyone wanted their photograph with her to commemorate this year's stellar performance.

Yours Truly with Captain Michelle Rakers

On a personal note, I learned in conversation with her that she owns two Cardigan Welsh corgis! She has two girls. I told her that I have a Pembroke named Taggart.

It just so happened that he was sleeping out in the truck while we were at a reception earlier in the week. She asked to meet him, so we went outside and I held him to introduce them to each other. My usually smooch-withholding corgi kissed her all over her face (not to mention attempting to give her a "wet willy" or two!) and had her giggling while he squirmed in my arms. I explained that he is not usually a kisser, but you wouldn't have known it from his behavior. Apparently, he doesn't kiss below the rank of Captain! From then until her departure, every time I saw her she said, "Give Tag a kiss for me."

Not only were the musicians delighted with Captain Rakers. Taggart and I have found a new friend as well. I've always believed that music opens doors. Thanks to my husband, it has also exposed us to many wonderful friendships. We're already looking forward to next year!