BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro American Legion Band, the only American Legion band in Vermont, is planning to enter a national American Legion band competition in August in Baltimore, Md.
The band competed in a similar competition in 2002 in Charlotte, N.C., where it took fourth place. The band from Joliet, Ill., took first place.
Brattleboro competed again in 2006 in Salt Lake City, where Joliet won again, but we came in second, missing first place by 1.8 points. At the time, the Joliet band had 77 members and Brattleboro had 44, so second place was phenomenal.
Going to Baltimore, there will be 45 band members, accompanied by some of the Brattleboro Legion Color Guard.
Within a month, we will decide the music we will play in Baltimore, and practice will begin in earnest. The band is also judged on its performance in a parade, so marching practice will also begin when the weather gets better.
Participation in these events is expensive. The band slowly adds to the money it gets from the concerts and parades it participates in during the years before competitions. It also relies heavily on contributions from local businesses and supporters.
The band will appreciate any contribution for the trip. For information on contributions, please contact band director Ray Brown at [email protected] or 413-772-8656, or manager Bill Wessel at [email protected] or 603-256-6950.