A new sort of band

[kewald]

Well, I'm only 84 and still staying as sharp as I can by having many projects that involve new stuff.  

For example, the band I'm in.  It's the On-Corps band for veterans.  I was the founding clarinetist (yes the only person who knew how to play the clarinet).  The band is hosted by my alma mater - The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).  It is the first band of its kind in the nation.  Any military veteran can join regardless of musical ability.  We provide music, mentoring, loaner instruments, practice, rehearsals and concerts, and camaraderie, all at no cost. 

We started in 2022 with 22 people, mostly beginners.  We now number about 100, with four bands. The beginners are known as the Mission band, there is an intermediate group called the Alamo band, and the more advanced group known as the Yanaguana band.  We also have a jazz band - The Presidio Jazz Band.   I play in the Yanaguana and Presidio bands.

 We rehearse during the Spring and Fall school semesters.  This year we also had a Summer session for about a month.  We recently played our first off campus concert for a reunion of the 3rd Armored Division of the Army.

One of the main purposes of the band is to provide the therapeutic benefits that playing music provides for those who may need it.

Here's a documentary about it - https://youtu.be/NDh2dF656_I?si=Hvchy11tSsnaEpSM

There is now a national association for bands like ours - https://musicforvets.com/.



Ken

[Windsong]

Good on yah, Ken.  Glad you are staying active and enjoying things.  That sounds like a great band to me. I love the name, too.

Your mention of the "3rd Herd" reminded me of this similarly badged, late-1920s 7-ring Harry Pedler.  This was my very first Harry Pedler, in fact.  It is hard rubber and ideally suited for the battlefield.

[LarryS]

That's brilliant!