Musicians put on greatest
show on Earth

Music can affect people in many different ways. It can draw them together, help them recall emotions of days gone by and even draw them closer to God. The effect of their music on others is one of the most rewarding aspect of playing in a brass band according to several musicians who attended this year's Great American Brass Band Festival.

Ernie ``Doc'' Watson grew up in New Orleans listening to the style of music played by Dejan's Olympia Brass Band. ``You can't grow up in New Orleans and not hear brass band or Dixieland music.''

Olympia takes the traditional New Orleans music and adds its own twist. Watson describes the result as ``melodious and spiritually uplifting.''

Once people hear the music they soon get into it and enjoy themselves. ``It appeals to everyone. It makes people feel good,'' said Watson.

Being a part of the band requires dedication. There's the countless hours of practice, not to mention the time spent on the road.

Olympia will spend four to five months out of the year traveling. The Great American Brass Band Festival usually marks the end of the tour season in the U.S. and the beginning of a six-week tour in Europe.

Watson, who has been in the band for about 20 years but has played music for 35-40 years, said he continues the demanding schedule for one reason. ``This music brings people together. It's great to see their happy faces.''

The ability to pull people together provides Olympia the opportunity to be a good ambassador for Louisiana, New Orleans and even the United States when they travel abroad. As long as he is able and so long as the music enables Olympia to reach people in a such a positive manner, Watson said he will continue to be a part of the band.

Tom Carr of the 8th Regiment Band out of Rome, Ga., not only likes the sense of history the music relates but the emotion of the time. The band plays Civil War-era music of both the North and South. They also wear both the blue and gray of both armies.

Carr said he is a member of the group because he has a love of history and music but also likes the emotion of the time that the music reflects. ``It was very simple and poignant. But it was effective.''

The style of music played by the band is quite popular, taking the group to as far north as Gettysburg, Pa., south to Florida and west to Mississippi. The tours usually begin in April and end around the first of December.

By far the most requested song is ``Dixie.'' However, Carr noted that the band has more Union versions of ``Dixie'' than Confederate. The song ``Lorena'' and ``Trull's Quick Step,'' which was taken from an 1840s Boston piano book, are some of the group's other most requested songs.

For the London Citadel Band of the church of the Salvation Army in London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the band is seen as an act of service to the church.

Not only does the band travel extensively, it also plays for church services every Sunday. To play in the band you must be a member of the church. Ray Thompson, said he likes the style of music because it reflects the style played by the original brass bands that began cropping up in England in the 1700s. ``We are one of the few truly brass bands here,'' said Thompson, who is a native of England.

Although the group plays hymns during its performances at church services it also adds a little of the classic music during it's public concerts. The goal of the band is to draw people closer to the church. Alan Bolan said counting practice and performances the band has 150 to 175 outings a year.