Bravo TUSAB

chhite · Post by **chhite** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:40 pm

Kudos to the members of TUSAB for today's state funeral. The Marine Band and The Navy Band also marched the procession but TUSAB had the largest role. On a very hot afternoon and a world audience, the band and quintet did a great job honoring a great president. That will be something to tell the grandkids.

Alex Reeder · Post by **Alex Reeder** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:44 pm

I'm sorry, but what does TUSAB stand for?

TonyTuba · Post by **TonyTuba** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:59 pm

The United States Army Band

Alex Reeder · Post by **Alex Reeder** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 9:05 pm

I should have guessed! Thanks.

WoodSheddin · Post by **WoodSheddin** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 9:44 pm

Wow, that was a hot one!!!!!

chhite · Post by **chhite** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 10:26 pm

TubeNet wrote:Wow, that was a hot one!!!!!

Sean, did one of the Honor Guard next to the band fall out just before the caisson was unloaded? From the tv shot it looked as if one was being helped away. How long was the band out there?

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 10:44 pm

TubeNet wrote:Wow, that was a hot one!!!!!

...as I watched from my air conditioned apartment just three blocks away...

We had our share of heat, though, performing at an elementary school dedication an hour out of DC in Haymarket, VA. Still not the same as coming down Constitution Ave., though.

WoodSheddin · Post by **WoodSheddin** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 11:25 pm

chhite wrote:
TubeNet wrote:Wow, that was a hot one!!!!!
Sean, did one of the Honor Guard next to the band fall out just before the caisson was unloaded? From the tv shot it looked as if one was being helped away. How long was the band out there?

Not sure. We had eyes front and didn't look around too much. I am certain that several people from various groups had people fall out throughout the march. The toughest parts were waiting at parade rest for the parade to form up behind us and standing in front of the capitol playing Battle Hymn over and over while the casket was moved.

I will preface by stating that I am not even close to a devout Reaganite. But regardless of my political leanings, standing 40 ft from Ronald Reagan's casket waiting for the time for us to play Hail to the Chief was surreal for the first few minutes. I play hundreds of funerals each year along with other ceremonies for high dollar generals, presidents, and various other dignitaries. This was different and unique. At least until the battle against heat stroke kicked in.

I just watched the ceremony at www.cspan.org and overall think our band did a pretty good job. It was probably the most physically taxing job I have done since joining the band. The combined heat, dehydration, and length of time locked up coupled with a 15 minute version of Battle Hymn took its toll on all of us. All the Sousaphones hung in there and did a great job. I am proud of my section for a world class mission completed.

ltboice · Post by **ltboice** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:34 am

All bands and sevice units deserve a lot of praise, performance in those conditions is difficult, but too to perform and and preserve the dignity of the occasion is exceptional. My praise goes out to all participants.
Sean
Was it your band at the airport or parade or both.
Where are you in the line up?
Slightly off topic but I felt the NBC crew did a great job of letting us at home see all the ceremony and hear the bands.

Great job to all involved.

manatee · Post by **manatee** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 10:02 am

I am sorry, but I love this stuff. You were part of History! When I was in I was always secretly hoping some high ranking fellow would pass on here in California so I would get to be part of something like you were.
How did that work? That was more than just the ceremonial band. Was it all of Pershing's own plus the Field Band? or?
All I heard was 'Gary Owen". What else was played?
How many bandsmen? And why so many oficers in front?
A big Salute Sean. Veteran Tuba players are proud of you!

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 11:23 am

ltboice wrote:Slightly off topic but I felt the NBC crew did a great job of letting us at home see all the ceremony and hear the bands.

Great job to all involved.

Credit Mrs. Reagan, who insisted on no commentary during the proceedings. Rotten tomatoes to Fox News for not fully respecting her wishes (not a lot of commentary, but some). I don't know which other networks did and which did not provide the sights and sounds without comment.

Our PVR malfunctioned, and we lost everything up 'til the time the casket was being offloaded. I'm looking forward to going to the website Sean mentioned and seeing the rest, but what I have seen so far was very, very well done. I've heard nothing but positive comments from everyone. Sean, you and your colleagues are to be commended.
______________________
Joe Baker, who was impressed with the band's playing of the Battle Hymn arrangement.

WoodSheddin · Post by **WoodSheddin** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 11:33 am

ltboice wrote: Sean
Was it your band at the airport or parade or both.
Where are you in the line up?

The Army Band always leads these parades because the Army is the senior branch. We were also the same band which played the body up the west stairs of the capitol.

WoodSheddin · Post by **WoodSheddin** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 11:43 am

manatee wrote:
How did that work? That was more than just the ceremonial band. Was it all of Pershing's own plus the Field Band? or?
All I heard was 'Gary Owen". What else was played?
How many bandsmen? And why so many oficers in front?

We were sporting a 99 piece band. 9 across and 11 deep. The band had musicians from various elements within Pershing's Own. Our unit has over 200 members, if memory serves me. We also use a 99 piece band on the inaugural parades.

I believe each band played 2 marches. Ours were Garry Owen and Vanished Army on the march. At the capitol we played 4 ruffles and flurishes and Hail to the Chief. We then played Battle Hymn over and over until the body reached the rotunda.

Officers always lead these types of processions. Here is more information about the specifics. http://199.231.147.241/general/factshee ... pp-11).doc

Tom Holtz · Post by **Tom Holtz** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 12:14 pm

I talked to Sean and some of the other TUSAB tubists before we all got into our respective formations. When I heard that they had to play at the steps of the Capitol while the bodybearers took the casket into the Rotunda, well, I certainly wasn't envious. I'm not the least bit surprised it took fifteen minutes to do the job. The marble staircase in question is a seriously tall hike, and the casket weighs anywhere from four to eight hundred pounds, depending on which news report you listen to.

It was a stinking hot job, but it was a small piece of history. Not uncommon with life in a military band. Everyone has done a marvelous job. BTW, my wife heard TUSAB on television as the casket was going up the stairs. She described it as a "wall of bass."

Sweet.

manatee · Post by **manatee** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 1:14 pm

I could figure Garry Owen, but any reason for "Vanished Army"?

WoodSheddin · Post by **WoodSheddin** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 4:56 pm

manatee wrote:I could figure Garry Owen, but any reason for "Vanished Army"?

Above my pay grade.

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:50 pm

Tom Holtz wrote: The marble staircase in question is a seriously tall hike, and the casket weighs anywhere from four to eight hundred pounds, depending on which news report you listen to.

You should see the body bearers at Marine Barracks (two were on the detail) in the weight room...

runelk · Post by **runelk** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 8:21 pm

The AF Band of the golden West played the departure from CA. The USAF Band played the arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

On friday the USAF Band will play the departure/loading of Pres. Regan's casket on to the plane at Andrews.

Not sure if any other bands are playing on friday.

I know that a combined orchestra and chorale will perform at the church service.

Albert

WoodSheddin · Post by **WoodSheddin** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 8:49 pm

runelk wrote:The AF Band of the golden West played the departure from CA. The USAF Band played the arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

On friday the USAF Band will play the departure/loading of Pres. Regan's casket on to the plane at Andrews.

Not sure if any other bands are playing on friday.

I know that a combined orchestra and chorale will perform at the church service.

Albert

The Navy Band will play the moving of the body on Friday. I am still not sure if they are playing out of the Capitol, into the Cathedral, or both.

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:31 pm

runelk wrote:I know that a combined orchestra and chorale will perform at the church service.

That might be the Marine Band, but I don't know for sure, so don't quote me on that.

And yes, it would be their chamber orchestra.

TubeNet

Bravo TUSAB

Bravo TUSAB

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