Different Drummers

On my way over to the Circle Theatre, where I occasionally volunteer 

as an usher for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra,

I found myself in the middle of a pep rally on Monument Circle. 

Just outside the theatre door, the marching band from 

Grambling State University was playing.

 Saturday, they will perform in the Circle City Classic parade, 

as well as at the half-time show for their school's football game

against Alcorn State University. While people will

talk about the football game, I've always thought of 

it as just an excuse to have some of the best marching bands

in the country appear; this year, Grambling's Tigers

will take on the Alcorn Braves in a marching, horn playing

and drumline extravaganza that will leave every one happy.

In the top photo a horn player watches the conductor,

while the cheerleaders perform their carefully coordinated stunts.

See those huge men behind the small woman?

Here is the reason for their presence -

Below is a video of the Grambling Tigers' participation

in the 2013 Presidential Inauguration Parade.

I was able to watch nearly all of the performance 

before I had to go to the theatre a few feet away.

Here's Dies Irae, from Verdi's Requiem, 

the piece I went to hear Friday night. 

It is two different worlds, but the same because

both have music in their souls. Each performance was

beautiful and heart-filling. There is no way the video

can duplicate the warmth of the sounds, the way the chords

reached inside me and made me cry.

It's music. I am happy to have experienced both.