Advocate band, German audience connect in rare, 'mysterious way'

Part 3 - Germany was like home sweet home

By BRENDA S. EDWARDS

Staff Writer

HERFORST, Germany -- The Advocate Brass Band's performance at the German-American Friendship evening last Sunday was one of the greatest in the band's history, said Director George Foreman.

"It was wonderful," said Foreman after the band held the attention of a roaring crowd of about 3,000. People were crowded in the tent and outside the grounds on the second day of performances.

Foreman said the concert met all of his expectations.

"Sunday night was really a rare experience for me. It was an occasion when the musicians and the audience connected in a special and mysterious way," said Foreman.

"It's rare for this to happen," he said. "I can only think of three or four times I've been in that situation. Once was when the Empire Brass Band performed at Centre College.

"When performers sense something coming from the audience, they feel the vibes coming through," he said. "It was happening Sunday night."

A performance like the one in this tiny German town is what musicians are looking for, said Foreman.

"This was really special for our town band because the Herforst people had never had an opportunity to hear a performance of that quality," he said.

The crowd included many Americans stationed at the Spangdahlem Air Force Base nearby. Col. Gregg Sanders of the base and other officers along with some USAF veterans who remained in Germany after they retired were there.

Jon Linker, who studied under trumpeter Vince DiMartino came to three concerts while the band was in Germany. He played in the Sunday performance. Linker is stationed at Sembach AFB and plays in the USAF band in Europe and in village bands just for fun.

Children were waving American and German flags, people were yelling for an encore, and many of the audience and band members had tears in their eyes at the end of the program. No one wanted the evening to end.

The Advocate band was among about 15 community bands at the weekend event that is held annually to raise money for community projects.

The community usually raises about $50 annually after expenses for food and drink. The entire community pitches in and helps with cooking and serving food.

The Herforst band has been in existence for more than 50 years. Three of the members were honored for 50 years of service.

There are 77 music clubs with more than 3,500 members in the village surrounding Herforst.

Copyright  The Advocate-Messenger
This article first appeared in the August 6, 2000, edition of The Advocate-Messenger

Back to Articles & Reviews