Memorial Day


Growing up in Emporia, Kansas one of my main summer activities for several summers was playing concerts in the bandstand in Fremont Park with the Emporia Municipal Band. The season at that time always kicked off with a pair of Memorial Day services, one at the main Emporia cemetery with a speech and a 21 gun salute, followed by second memorial service at Soden’s Grove, on the bridge over the Cottonwood River, to honor sailors lost at sea. Looking back I know that these two concerts in particular were certainly a part of the quintessential small town community band experience.

And it still may be experienced! The Emporia Municipal Band is still going strong. If you are in the area I will be performing with them as a soloist on Thursday, July 17, the week before the IHS Denver event. If you are in Kansas then check it out the concert, and if not find a band in your area and check it out instead, the outdoor summer band concert is a classic summer event.

JOHN ERICSON has wide-ranging experience as an orchestral player, soloist, and teacher.» About John Ericson » More articles » Horn Notes Edition » Contact

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John Ericson & Bruce Hembd
on the French horn, brass related topics, and the field of classical music.