On May 29, 2021, Angela Marie and I preformed the National Anthem at the dedication ceremony for fallen officer Deputy Jack D. Williams. Jack was killed in the line of duty in 1979.
Angela Marie and I used one of our new Bose L1 Pro32 systems for the event. Both bass (my Warmoth Jazz) and vocals ran direct to the QSC Touchmix-16 and out to the Bose system.
As usual for an event like this, the Sheriff's color guard was on hand with a bagpiper. Angela Marie and I have had previous issues with a bagpipe playing right before our performance. I didn't know this, but most/all bagpipes are tuned to Bflat - but not a true Bflat. From TheMaCleods "...Please note that most bagpipes today tune at 476 to 480 Hz! This is roughly halfway between B-flat and B...". That by itself isn't the problem. The problem arises because we preform the National Anthem in Eflat with the starting note of Bflat. I give Angela Marie the starting note of Bflat for reference, but with a bagpipe playing America The Beautiful in off-Bflat still in her and my head, my single note reference is lost - and sounds off-key. There have been a few events in the past where I had to drop out and let Angela Marie sing solo. Not a huge issue as Angela Marie is a pro and can adapt (i.e. sing in a slightly sharp Bflat) but the first few times this happened it took a little time to get the transition to sound smooth.
Thankfully, at this event, they placed the Pledge of Allegiance in between the bagpipe performance and our performance. So, there was enough time to recenter our mental Bflat key.
My musical ramblings aside, the event was well attended. The Sheriff department did a nice job with the venue and decorations. They had food served as well. The dedication was a freeway dedication in Jack's name. Deputy Williams had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife and two children.
As usual for an event like this, the Sheriff's color guard was on hand with a bagpiper. Angela Marie and I have had previous issues with a bagpipe playing right before our performance. I didn't know this, but most/all bagpipes are tuned to Bflat - but not a true Bflat. From TheMaCleods "...Please note that most bagpipes today tune at 476 to 480 Hz! This is roughly halfway between B-flat and B...". That by itself isn't the problem. The problem arises because we preform the National Anthem in Eflat with the starting note of Bflat. I give Angela Marie the starting note of Bflat for reference, but with a bagpipe playing America The Beautiful in off-Bflat still in her and my head, my single note reference is lost - and sounds off-key. There have been a few events in the past where I had to drop out and let Angela Marie sing solo. Not a huge issue as Angela Marie is a pro and can adapt (i.e. sing in a slightly sharp Bflat) but the first few times this happened it took a little time to get the transition to sound smooth.
Thankfully, at this event, they placed the Pledge of Allegiance in between the bagpipe performance and our performance. So, there was enough time to recenter our mental Bflat key.
My musical ramblings aside, the event was well attended. The Sheriff department did a nice job with the venue and decorations. They had food served as well. The dedication was a freeway dedication in Jack's name. Deputy Williams had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Angel Marie next to a Bose L1 Pro32 system
