davewerden

This video is from a historic concert by The United States Coast Guard Band in combination with The Leningrad Military District Band. The Coast Guard Band was the first U.S. military band to play in the former Soviet Union (USSR). Our tour was mostly in the Leningrad area (also known as St. Petersburg). This concert was performed in the spectacular October Hall. Each band played some numbers alone and there were several combined numbers. In this selection you hear only the Leningrad band performing a lovely waltz called Autumn Dream. The men singing at the end is an especially effective moment.


Interesting to euphonium players is the make-up of the euphonium section. In this band there are 2 "baritones" and 1 euphonium. All 3 are oval-style instruments with rotary valves. The baritones are probably a little more mellow than the typical British-style baritone horn. You will hear in the recording that the baritones have just a little more "edge" (compared to euphoniums) that helps them carry the high melodies more successfully.