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I'm heading down to the Great American Brass Band Festival, in Danville, Kentucky, June 1-4. I have wanted to go for a long time, but my orchestra schedule always prevented it. Now, in retirement, I'm able to pursue this interest. I'm also re-thinking the equipment that I need. Though I'm not scheduled to play in Danville, I will bring my trusty Yamaha 621 Eb tuba in case there is is a chance for duets or other playing. Although this instrument has been extremely useful to me, I would enjoy playing on some other Ebs and would contemplate a trade for an Eb with valves in front.

I'm looking forward to: *Sam Pilafian playing with the Boston Brass, *A Civil War re-enactment band from Lexington, *The Limestone College Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble and some street band ensembles from Chicago and New Orleans.

If any readers here are planning to to go, let me know and we'll have an iced tea and barbecue together.

mbeastep, Calgary

My band has played it twice. It is a terrific festival and very well run. We had a blast both playing and hearing other groups. Wish we could accept their invitations to come back - we just can't fit it into our schedule. I still smile thinking about the complete brass band on top of an elephant in the parade. You'll have a great time!

Danville is my hometown. It is a really quaint little place, and the festival is always very enjoyable. I'll be returning to perform with my hometown group, the Advocate Brass Band, a turn-of-the-century-style American town band. I have been playing in the festival almost every year for about ten years. Occasionally, that means playing euphonium or tuba on a horse-drawn cart in the parade. Probably my favorite gig of all.

I'm moving to Versailles literally the day before the festival starts, so I don't know if it's going to be possible, but I'm going to try to get over there probably on Saturday. My wife went to college in Danville, so I bet I can twist her arm to ride over there.

Michael Bush wrote:I'm moving to Versailles literally the day before the festival starts, so I don't know if it's going to be possible, but I'm going to try to get over there probably on Saturday. My wife went to college in Danville, so I bet I can twist her arm to ride over there.

How do you pronounce the town name? When I played with the American Wind Symphony (1974) I found myself in the post office of North Versailles, Pennsylvania. When I mentioned the name of the town I used my best (rotten) French and pronounced it "Ver-sigh" (or maybe, in Texan -Floridian "Ver-sah") After some dumbfounded looks were exchanged, it emerged that the correct pronunciation was "Ver-sales."

mbeastep

It's pronounced the same in Kentucky as in Pennsylvania!

tuben wrote:

arpthark wrote:Danville is my hometown. It is a really quaint little place, and the festival is always very enjoyable.

Amazingly, mine too.

I was just there yesterday going through KY for a funeral. You'll love the town, and I promise you'll not meet a friendlier or more gracious people anywhere in America.

We should have one of those secret forums on Tubenet for people from central Kentucky. (This is moving home for me too, not just for my wife.)

tuben wrote:You'll love the town, and I promise you'll not meet a friendlier or more gracious people anywhere in America.

I've only been to GABBF once, but I loved it. The way the community embraces brass band music is rejuvenating. Really enthusiastic audiences. I definitely will make a return trip in the future.