Austria Tour Blog
Flight, Arrival and Good Times
Posted on July 9, 2006
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, friends and family, people of Ann Arbor, MI and the world:
Hallo! I come to you with the news that my bandmates and I arrived in Frankfurt, Germany at approximately 8:25 this morning (2:25 A.M. Ace Deuce time). We were, one and all, safe, sound, and thoroughly exhausted. Regarding yesterday's experiences, I can't recall any urgent information which demands to be passed on, and that's a very good thing, seeing as anything truly thrilling that could happen while standing in airport security lines and flying over the Atlantic Ocean would more likely than not be along the lines of a disaster–and, as we all know, the Pioneer Bands as an institution neither condone nor tolerate disasters of any sort.
As for today, well, our arrival was followed immediately by a bus ride through the town of Bingen and a boat ride on the Rhein River (complete with prepaid lunch!). Bingen had a peaceful, pastoral quality so seductive that at least a dozen students had the urge to surrender their lives back home and start anew on its streets. (Ah, homelessness, where is thy sting in a place so gorgeous?) You'll all be pleased to know that they decided against doing so, uttering as an explanation this poignant, resounding cry: ‘We love our families too much to abandon them! Farewell, Bingen!'
Now we're relaxing at our hotel in Reutlingen, and my computer time is running out.
Until tomorrow, your friendly out-of-the-neighborhood blogger,
Jared G
P.S. Midnight movies do not live up to the hype, especially under Friday night's particular circumstances. But perhaps that is just my opinion.
Best Band in the U.S. and Best Soccer in the World
Posted by Jared G on July 10, 2006
I'm aware that some of you at home will want an explanation as to why I never recorded a Quote of the Day or Moment of Excellence yesterday. Here's the story: I was given fifteen free minutes of internet time by the Stout family and had no idea how to get more, so time simply ran out. Tonight, then, marks the world premiere of these sure-to-be-beloved features.
Quote of the Day: ‘The bus driver's name is Atlas.' — Jesse Broman, spoken upon observing one of our drivers lift and transport a box of percussion equipment with the help of only one other person, a task that usually requires the hard work of five-plus brawny percussionists.
Moment of Excellence: When Christina Smith and Emily Arbour tried to close Wenting Guo's door, it came slightly off of the top hinge. Following Abby Johnson's sage advice, Wenting contacted a member of the hotel staff, whose expert assistance resulted in the door coming completely off its hinges.
Now, to get down to even more official business, the Symphony and Jazz Bands played their first gigs in Germany this afternoon. Our rehearsal at the Musikschule Tubingen, which was very hot inside due to both the weather and the intensity of our rehearsal edicit, went very well. In the afternoon, we traveled to our performance venue in Tubingen. The heat was borderline unbearable (for performance purposes), but Mr. Leach and Mrs. Waring both commended the bands on just how well we played (given the circumstances, of course).
When we finished performing and loading the equipment back on to the buses and making a few minor mishaps along the way (no need to worry–we're all still accounted for), we returned to the performance site to eat and watch the World Cup on a big screen with even bigger speakers. Of course, as I write, the game is still going on, but the excitement of the soccer fans on this trip (basically, um, everyone) has not died down. Personally, I'm waiting to see if our host country puts on just as big a noise show tonight as they did yesterday after Germany won.
And so I come to a close. Apparently there will be more free time tomorrow, resulting in probably a more thorough entry plus a picture or two. But, for now . . .
Until tomorrow, your friendly out-of-the-neighborhood blogger,
Jared
The Greatest Show on Earth
Posted on July 14, 2006
Quote of the Day: "At night, it probably gets dark here." — Emma Herzog, who also claimed that her sense of dignity would not permit her to participate in the dance on Wednesday night. Haha.
Moment of Excellence: Allie Simpson, frightened by snakes, sprinted down the mountain she was hiking up–a move which promptly turned into a tumble.
Yesterday constituted hands-down the best day of tour so far (in my humble and widely publicized opinion). There is so much to say but I have very little time this morning. Remember–it's the attempt that counts.
First of all, our Schladming hotel, which in fact we checked into two nights ago, is a stunner. In the words of Tom Coveney, we're staying in a place few of us "feel worthy of."
Second, the Mid-Europe conference: Well, I messed up, but the band played on, to the tune of multiple encores (Leach insists there were six, if not more).
Finally–and I swear I will fill in more details later on–the jazz combo and Jazz Band played quite possibly their best gigs ever.
Until very, very soon,
Jared
Details and Generalities
Posted on July 15, 2006
Quote of the Day: "Do you think Mozart's hot? Because, from this angle, wow." — Chris Culbertson, as he stared enraptured at the portraits of Mozart which surrounded our dining room.
Moment of Excellence: At least 20 high schoolers–most of them seniors–had chocolate smeared all over their adorable, unsuspecting faces after valiantly attempting to eat chocolate pretzels in downtown Salzburg.
If this does not qualify as "very, very soon" in relation to the last post, my apologies. I'm not one to make promises I don't intend to keep, but here on tour circumstances are exceptional–I actually have things to do most of the time, which makes writing a free-form, tangent-prone blog more difficult than it may seem (or should be.)
That disclaimer out of the way, here, as promised, are details about Wednesday's jazz gigs: The jazz combo, whose members are/were Louis Barry (drums), Rob Bickley (bass) and Mark Phillips (piano) performed at 8:00 outside a cafe. During the entire tour so far, I never felt more "at home" than I did watching them. Their relaxed yet expressive playing was the ideal compliment to the atmosphere of downtown Schladming, which is like Ann Arbor plus a couple centuries and minus a few chains.
Regarding the 11:00 Jazz Band gig, the mere memory of it is exhilarating. I've never heard that band play with anything approaching the rhythmic power or unabashed joy they displayed on the stage. Wenting Guo, the Jazz Band singer, sang her three tunes beautifully and flawlessly, hitting unexpected high notes with great clarity. Steve Nair proudly claimed Wednesday evening's Sexiest Man Alive trophy after about this fifteenth perfect saxophone solo. Jacob Trithart wore a plaid suit and played trombone–enough said. And, yes, you better believe I'm biased, but drummers Louis Barry and Billy Harrington were killer, alternating between soothing swing and thunderously rocking solos. Lastly, "Fireshaker" is the best song ever written. . . .
Except, perhaps, for a Mozart composition or two. The Salzburg walking tour revolved around two things–convincing us that Mozart was the greatest musician who ever lived, which is true, and telling us every place connected to The Sound of Music–a movie that the Austrians are well-aware is not the greatest ever made, and that's true, too. (No death threats, please.)
Honestly, the Mozart House was fascinating. They even had locks of his hair–something I've always thought of as corny, but, well, when hair survives for centuries, mad props to the man it came from. (That's kid slang for "that is really cool.")
Then we had dinner and opera. I need not say that was awesome.
Until tomorrow, your friendly out-of-the-neighborhood blogger,
Jared