June 28, 2024 – 9:00 am – Steuben County, Indiana
I am back in Indiana at a rest area on I-69. I am en route to Muncie for the second in my Midwest DCI series. It’s time to update you on my travels and sleeping accommodations last night at an undisclosed location in southern Michigan. Let’s just say that those who were permanently encamped were very quiet. I set my phone to play one of my shorter recorded sessions on my Steinway, which helps me to fall asleep. The light emitting from the phone was in keeping with the dim solar lights spread across this hallowed campground. By the time the music stopped, I was fully in REM. My new 40-degree sleeping bag purchased yesterday afternoon was warm and comfy. The netting kept all-size critters out, and the hammock rocked me gently to sleep. I had one of the soundest sleeps in a long time. Upon awaking at well past dawn, I quickly decamped, leaving no trace of my presence, and headed for a brisk morning walk on the North Country Trail nearby. After researching a little, I am making a deviation from Siri’s navigation for a side trip to Tipton, IN, to check out the Blue Stars in rehearsal—time to get off this four-lane road for a while.
12:30 pm
The roads here are straight, and the ground is flat, allowing a pleasing cruise across the landscape, albeit at breakneck speed in the Volvo. These are the roads where James Dean learned to drive fast, born in nearby Marion. Windmills tower above the silos and fields of soybeans and corn, the duo-crops that dominate this flat land. Churches occupy the corners at various intersections. It’s funny how I can be in one state and then the next in a snap. Visible signs of red and blue political persuasions are evident. Fireworks retail outlets and cannabis dispensaries are prevalent in the border towns. In one state, you can blow your mind; in the next, you can blow your fingers off. America.
The roads here are straight, and the ground is flat, allowing a pleasing cruise across the landscape, albeit at breakneck speed. These are the roads where James Dean learned to drive fast, born in nearby Marion. Windmills tower above the silos and fields of soybeans and corn, the dou-crops that dominate this flat land. Churches occupy the corners at various intersections. It’s funny how I can be in one state and then the next in a snap. Visible signs of red and blue political persuasions are evident. Fireworks retail outlets and cannabis dispensaries are prevalent in the border towns. In one state, you can blow your mind; in the next, you can blow your fingers off. America.
Speaking of blowing my face off, the Blue Stars are encamped here at the school in preparation for tonight’s show in Muncie. At this point of the rehearsal, they are air-only, on the move, and working on the drill. According to Travis, the brass caption head, the corps will rehearse in ensemble between 1:00 and 2:00 pm before preparing for the show.
I am sitting at the 50-yard line in Tipton High School Stadium, Tipton, Indiana. This is the home of the Tipton Blue Devils, ironically. The team name at the high school I attended was the Red Devils. I am more blue now. The Blue Stars are encamped here at the school in preparation for tonight’s show in Muncie. It is partly cloudy with a breeze; it is not a bad day to rehearse. At this point of the rehearsal, the brass ensemble is air-only, on the move, and working on the drill. According to Travis, the brass caption head, the corps will rehearse in full ensemble between 1:00 and 2:00 pm before preparing for the show. Well now! After a few warm-up breathing exercises, the brass just went to full-on sound at a climactic part. This brass ensemble rivals the best. This is why I love rehearsals: to understand the methods and processes for achieving such a high level of sound and performance quality. To most, this may seem tedious as they break down the program piece by piece, over and over again. Perfection in unity is the goal.
The mood of this rehearsal is calm and confident. The director said, “There is no full run-through today; you will bring that on the field tonight.” I stayed at the Blue Stars rehearsal until just after the fourth part, the ballad. My father was a crew member in a B-29 bomber named Stardust over Korea in 1951. The Blue Stars take the popular song to an entirely different level with the unique and dynamic arrangement for the trombone and 79 other horns. My father played the trombone in his father’s band for over thirty years every Friday and Saturday night. Like most of the kids on the field, I was raised in a musical family. Alas, it’s time to head on down the road to Muncie, but first, I need a show ticket, lodging reservation, and something to eat. Hey Siri!
4:00 pm Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
Yay! I made it to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, a Midwest Mecca for marching music. Carolina Crown is in residence with hundreds of high school kids rehearsing together for the show tonight. From Jerri, the nurse, I quickly learned about the Music for All Summer Symposium Camp, which brought over 900 kids and 200 band directors from 36 states for a week-long learning opportunity. These Crown auxiliary kids on the field will perform the triumphant piece as an encore after the show tonight.
After the final take of the afternoon, I headed to the LA Pittenger Student Center for the necessary WIFI, bathroom, air conditioning, water, and piano session. I made a pit stop here last year on the way to Indianapolis. Alas, the beautiful piano is still woefully out of tune and poorly regulated but a catnap in this comfortable lounge is in order. It has been a long day so far, and I want to be completely present for the show. Tonight’s lineup includes the World Class Corps at Rockford on Wednesday, plus Carolina Crown. It should be an interesting match-up with BAC. Hold onto your hat. With 12 more shows ahead and miles and miles to go on my DCI tour, I look forward to keeping you posted and maybe better pianos to play.