July 4th, San Francisco

We celebrated the holiday by going to hear the Golden Gate Park Band play "Music Celebrating American Independence." This year that included "America Forever" by Malinda Zenor, "Lassus Trombone" by Henry Fillmore, "Armed Forces Medley" arr. by Roc McNaughton, and others.

Now in its 137 season, the band is sponsored by San Francisco's Recreation and Parks Department and is compromised of members of  American Federation of Musicians Union Local #6. It plays free concerts on Sundays from May through September.  To my ear they sound mighty fine.

It is such a pleasure to hear instruments play without amplification. The soft passages are perfectly clear; the loud passages are easy on the ears. The band shell lets them be heard perfectly throughout this section of the park. 

I sat back and felt proud of my country.