Check out brass band festival Web site

By Sheila J. Clark

The Great American Brass Band Festival's virtual homestead resides at http://www.gabbf.com. The site allows GABBF lovers to tune into the festival all year around.

The site was initially launched in 1996 by the Advocate to provide brass lovers with the most comprehensive Web site for the festival. Each year the site takes on a new look and feel.

The site's user-friendly atmosphere provides GABBF goers with easily obtainable information about this year's festival as well as those from previous years. A simple click on the GABBF 2001 button and a site visitor has instant access to everything pertaining to this year's festival. From the schedule of events and festival articles to a printable order form, the site also has bios on all of the performers and much more.

Other features on the GABBF site include:
* The newest addition to the site is the Museum section where visitors can learn about the efforts to establish an American Band museum right here in Danville.
* The Chautauqua Tea featuring the prelude to the festival held the Thursday before the festival.
* Directions to Danville that also include a venue map of the festival site.
* Photo Gallery features submitted photos of past festivals.
* Band History Conference spotlights conference information, the schedule and a printable registration form.
* Area Sights to See offers information about area historic sites.
* Featured Band spotlights randomly selected brass bands.
* The Bands section features the current year's performers, includes background information and photos.
* Dine & Recline serves up suggestions on things to see and do during festival downtime.
* GABBF Archives features things from past festivals including posters, logos and Festival Guides.
* Brass Links offers links to brass-related Web sites. Each year new links will be added.
* Interact features an unmoderated IRC chat area on Talk City.

Visitors may also read about the tour the festival went on in the GABBF On Tour section.

Also included on the site are a Guest Book and information about the Great American Picnic.

The Web site for the Advocate Brass Band, host band of the festival, can be reached by clicking on the Advocate Brass button. The direct Web address to their site is http://www.gabbf.com/abb/advocate.html. On the site, visitors will find a band and composer bios, spring and fall concert and programs, recordings of the band, photos and more.

The site was designed by Sheila J. Clark, Internet columnist and information technology coordinator for The Advocate-Messenger.