Battle festival fever by visiting Web site

By Sheila J. Clark
Staff Writer

Time once again for the annual journey back in time with the Great American Brass Band Festival.

But if you find yourself battling festival fever during the other 11 months of the year, never fear, the Internet has just what you need.

Long after the last horn blows there remains a special place for GABBF lovers to visit all year around - the festival's virtual homestead on the Internet at http://www.gabbf.com.

The site was launched by The Advocate last year with the intent to be the most comprehensive Web site for the Great American Brass Band Festival.

Among site features included are:
* The Chautauqua Tea section featuring the prelude to the festival held the Thursday before the festival begins.

* Directions to Danville gets you here no matter which direction you are coming from and there is also a map of the festival site.

* Photo Gallery features submitted photos of past festivals.

* Band History Conference offers conference information, a conference schedule and a printable registration form.

* Area Sights to See serves up information about area historic sites.

* Featured Band spotlights randomly selected brass bands.

* The Bands section features this year's performers with background information on each band including photos and links to their Web pages if available.

* Dining, Shopping & Such offers suggestions of things to see and do during festival downtime.

* GABBF Archives features things from past festivals including posters, logos and Festival Guides.

* GABBF 1997 has all the information on this year's festival, the tentative schedule of events, festival articles and a printable order form for purchasing your souvenirs in advance.

* Brass Links offers links to brass-related Web sites.

There is also a Guest Book and information about the Great American Picnic.

Advocate Brass Band Web site

A special portion of the GABBF site, has been designed for the Advocate Brass Band, host band of the festival and Danville's own hometown band.

The ABB Web site is at http://www.gabbf.com/advocate.html.

The site offers biography information on the band and individual information of band personnel grouped by instrument.

Experience the aural sensations of these talented performers playing the ``Advocate-Messenger March'' when you click on the band logo.

Other site features:
* Information about the band's recordings including the upcoming CD release titled ``The Dallas Morning News: Forgotten American Newspaper Marches.'' There is an order form that can be printed then mailed or fax.

* Spring and Fall Concert Series sections have dates and programs of concerts.

* Gift of Song tells of a few songs that were given to The Advocate Brass Band.

* Articles and reviews of The Advocate Brass Band's accomplishments.

* Guide to Instruments, a short guide giving information about various instruments most often found in a brass band.

* Composer Bios with information on famous composers including the ``March King'' himself, John Philip Sousa.

* CandidCam is a newly added section featuring submitted candid shots of the band members.

Both sites were designed by Sheila J. Clark, Internet columnist and information services coordinator for The Advocate-Messenger.