This is the Marine Band from San Diego. It would be redundant to say that they are perfect. They played several times during the day in front of the grandstand. Watching them march and countermarch through a piece was impressive enough, but listening to them play was one of the grandest things that has happened to me all year. They nailed all the standards, "Semper Fidelis," an exquisite set of American folk tunes, even "Scotland the Brave," then they added some unexpected icing to the cake: an amalgamation of the themes from "Ben-Hur". Perhaps because they were playing in the middle of the racetrack? Probably just because it sounded good. And it sounded very, very good. Still, there was something about the end, when they went marching off to the Marine's Hymn that might have topped it. That was perfection!
Later, I was able to have a few words with their drum major. I had hoped very much to lay my hands on a CD so I could give the folks back home some inkling of the wonders of the day, but he told me they can't make commercial CD's, something to do with them being run on Department of Defense money. So, for the rest of you, you'll just have to take my word for it. It was grand--and if you get a chance to see them, do!
. . .The band was marching through the tunnel under the racetrack prior to playing.
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