Greetings and welcome to my second attempt to construct a website, please take the time to view all the pages, and stop back often as updates will come as I get bored. My purpose behind creating this site was to give my close friends a way to check on me while I'm away at sea or stuck on "The Point." I also wish to help other sailors, and cyclists as well as those who aspire to join in the afforementioned undertakings a chance to exchange ideas and such. Come back often, as this is only the begining. Oh yeah, I hope you like bagpipe music, because I sure do!
QUEBEC IS INVADED
By the Regimental Band of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy |
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Thursday morning, 21 August 2003, the Regimental Band embarked on a journey they would not soon forget. Two tour busses packed with musicians, instruments, uniforms, and, of course, liberty attire began the ten-hour trek to the fifth annual Quebec City International Festival of Military Bands.
Friday brought the band's first two performances. The band changed the guard at the Citadelle de Quebec, the only circular fortifications remaining in North America. This prestigious ceremony is usually only performed by the Royal 22nd Regiment's own band.
The band then moved to the Expo Quebec, a large fair occurring in town, for a street performance. This spectacular event featured a local guest conductor (see below)! |
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On Saturday the Band again changed the Guard at the Citadelle de Quebec. The performance was cut short, however, by unexpected inclimate weather. The afternoon performance at the Expo Quebec was also canceled due to the weather. Later in the afternoon the weather improved and was marvelous throughout the remainder of the festival.
Saturday evening brought all twelve military bands together under the roof of the Colisee Pepsi, a hockey arena transformed into a grand concert hall featuring both a stage and marching performance area.
This MegaConcert featured music representing each of the five nations represented (United States, Canada, Belgium, Sweden and Holland) and lasted over two hours! The band performed both as a part of the 525 piece MegaBand and individually, putting on a twelve minute marching performance. The audience was enthusiastic throughout the entire performance, especially during the finale number of Amazing Grace. |
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The closing parade was held Sunday afternoon. All twelve bands participated, playing individual selections on the parade route and coming together at the beautiful Chateau Frontenac for a final concert. The Chateau, monument Champlain, historic buildings, and commanding view of the St. Laurence Seaway made a fitting backdrop for this ceremony which included national anthems from all represented nations. The festivities were brought to a close with a stirring rendition of Auld Lang Syne, played by the Royal 22nd Regiment. |
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NEWS RECAP
S/V BRAECREST WINS JULY 4th RACE!
The now infamous laser Braecrest, skippered by M/N Atherton, sailed to a resounding victory in the Chelsea Yacht Club's 4th of July Holiday Regatta. In this event, Braecrest contended with both other dingys as well as much larger and much faster keelboats, only to leave them all in her wake! Assigned to Divison D for the start, Braecrest was over the line one second before the gun and had to round the ends in order to start again, once underway she plowed on a steady starboard tack towards the windward mark. Aided by constant wind shifts that resulted in numerous lifts, Braecrest made the windward mark, and rounded in second place, 1 minute 22 seconds behind the leader JY 15 #102 Skippered by Jean Turner. The downwind run was a hot one, but the laser quickly caught and then passed the larger JY in a sea state and wind that favored the laser's hull planning characteriscs over that larger sail area of the JY. At the leeward mark, Braecrest was ahead of JY 15 #102 by 4 minutes 34 seconds and closing fast on the Ensign; Interlude from the division ahead of her which had a head start of 5 minutes. The upwind battle to the finish was a textbook tacking duel between the two boats, the only exception was the Laser's supeior acceleration, and the JY's pointing ability, and time/distance advantage. Braecrest took the bullet over JY 15 #102 by 5 minutes and 42 seconds. Because of Division D's race course being differant from that of the other divisions, Braecrest not only won divison honors, but also took the overall regatta, finishing first with a total time of 46 minutes 11 seconds. FOSGAIL A'SLIGHE!
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