Richmond Marching Band Independence Day March

Our audience was no one in particular. Cars passing by, drivers filling up at gas stations, and people waiting at bus stops watched us as we marched on. Some were confused but intrigued, and others were excited to see such an unusual parade. For those wondering what I’m describing, there’s not much to know. In […]

July 6, 2009; 1:22 PM • by Dean Christesen

Our audience was no one in particular. Cars passing by, drivers filling up at gas stations, and people waiting at bus stops watched us as we marched on. Some were confused but intrigued, and others were excited to see such an unusual parade.

For those wondering what I’m describing, there’s not much to know. In March, Matt White and Reggie Pace got a marching band together, welcoming anyone and everyone to join. The mission was for a community marching band to perform downtown on the Fourth of July. We got busted at the first rehearsal with a noise complaint. Equipped with a permit to rehearse each time following that incident, we bounced back.

Imagine a high-school marching band that is open to all regardless of musical ability, does not involve any military-style discipline, drops everything for the ice cream man, and culminates in a sweet party. The tunes were all composed or arranged by members of the band (like A Tribe Called Quest’s “Electric Relaxation”, Duke Ellington’s “Blue Pepper”, Brian Jones’s “Pinchback”, and Glows in the Dark’s “Crippled Avengers”), and although there were written parts for each instrument, the music had a party vibe to it, almost a do-what-you-want mentality.

The march on Saturday evening fell into place. Who knew a fire-breather would be there? Some people wore costumes. People who never came to rehearse arrived with instruments. It all worked, and I think we put on quite a show for those who happened to see us. – DC

photos by Tommy Beekman:

From July 4th March

photos by Gabe Churray:

July 6, 2009 1:22 PM 2