2010.016 Marty Jam

The thumbnail photo of this post is, incongruously, the nice sunset to which we were treated at the beginning of the jam session. I know it doesn’t match the din of the indoor fife & drum experience, but it was such a beautiful evening that I just had to spend some time out on the beach. It gave me a chance to reflect for a few minutes on the changing light, and to be thankful it wasn’t already dark! And, to also reflect on the impact of the man I’ll never know, and his friends and family who make this jam possible, and who generously continue to give back to their music community by hosting the event and providing scholarships to so many young musicians.

Christmas Eve, 1990, Martin Andrews tragically lost his life as a result of a car accident. His family, and the St. Peter’s Drum Corps, host this jam to raise funds for a scholarship in Marty’s name.

It also gets us through the long winter doldrums. Fifes and drums are outdoor instruments, and most of our events take place during the warmer months. We gather in baseball fields, parks, and on parade routes, playing our hearts out, often for hours at a time. Much of the music has been played for generations. Some of the instruments have evolved, some of the playing styles have changed, arrangements have been written and rewritten countless times. But if our ancestors were to witness, they’d recognize a lot of the music, and I’m sure they’d also recognize the sense of community among the musicians as well. There’s an easy companionship, born of our shared obsession and experiences.

But as I said… outdoor instruments… originally used to broadcast signals in battles and camps, before radios. Well, this is an indoor jam. It’s loud. Very loud. I have found some amazing earplugs, but those will be the topic of another post. For now, here is a link to photos from Marty Jam. And soon, I’ll put up an audio file to give you an idea of what it sounds like.

Now it’s back to “the off season”. New music is being learned. Corps are busy getting their seasons in order, booking parades, musters, concerts, and trips. Uniforms are being made. And of course, above all… practise, practise, practise!

Purchase prints, mugs, t-shirts, and more, here.