STANLEY tells it all – The US Marine Band in The Netherlands
During the ending of the pandemic, something special happened. All of a sudden there was a glimpse of brightness! The World Music Contest in Kerkrade, The Netherlands, which is held every four years, announced a concert of ‘The Presidents Own’ US Marine Band on 27 July 2022, two days prior to my birthday. A concert to end all concerts, as Stan Kenton would have said.
It had been a long time since Ellen van Wel-Hartman and I sat at the ‘wrong side of the stage’ together and thorougly enjoyed a live performance at this level. Ellen is not a professionally trained musician like me, but she has a very sharp ear. Myself, I am quite spoiled in regards to performing at the highest level in music, so not easily impressed. This time, I was!
We sat very close to the stage and were overwhelmed by this roaring performance, to say the least. What a band, what a sound, what great music, what undescribable enthusiasm in a hall filled with professional musicians from far and away. The people next to me came from Hamburg, Germany, which is a very long ride. They simply had to be there. Period! We understood.
A late ‘thank you’ to the Music Director, (guest) conductors, singers, musicians and staff of the US Marine Band for this amazing, inspirational and wonderful once in a lifetime concert. It was a blast! Those who were there, are still talking about it. What music can do to a human being, is truly mindboggling!
Stanley E. van Wel MM – Music Director