This is Our Little Happiness

CHATFIELD — Under a flawless summer sky with ample trees for shade, some 200 people spent more than an hour on this Sunday evening listening to patriotic music played by the Chatfield Brass Band.

Conductor Carmen Narveson, who has led the band for 23 years, said the concert concentrated on music everyone would love, including patriotic tunes, jazz and a salute to famed movie music composer, Henry Mancini. It also made sure veterans were recognized. “Many people have friends who are veterans,” she said.

“We do similar music every year. It’s the most popular concert, we attract the most people … they really like patriotic music,” she said. It was moved up a few days this year, from the usual Thursday evening concert which would have been the Fourth of July, because many band members wanted to attend celebrations out of town or go to local fireworks.

A salute to service

The band played songs from each of the branches of the military as veterans stood for their respective branch’s anthem. Applause for the veterans mixed with the music — but Narveson said she has noticed that there are fewer veterans each year. This year, maybe 25 stood in all, including those in the American Legion.

Patrick Lawson of the Chatfield American Legion, holds two flags before the concert. (Photo by John Weiss)

As for the band: “The band likes it because it’s great music, patriotic music is just fun to play.”

Musicians and concertgoers all spoke of their pride in America and how special this annual concert is. All shared their love of the music.

Nathan Davidson, who began playing with the band in 1978, was there with his clarinet. “I’ve done many, many concerts since ’78,” he said. “It’s not just another one, we do this for veterans and the salute to America. Heaven sakes, we have to do more of a salute to America in this day and age. This is a positive thing. It’s a salute to who we are.”

Patriotic music never gets old

Playing this stirring music is different.

“The patriotic music envelopes you more than other songs, especially when you do ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’,” Davidson said. “It sends chills through your body every time. I’ve played it millions of times, millions of times, (and it) never gets old.”

Betsey Bush, on the other hand, is relatively new to the band, a mere three years, but not to the music. She joined because a friend who also plays the clarinet is a member.

Betsey Bush plays clarinet during the concert. (Photo by John Weiss)

The music “is different because it’s all patriotic,” Bush said. “It makes me want to get up and march.” She didn’t. Her favorite pieces are “anything with (John Philip) Sousa,” she said. “I’m a Sousa fan.”

The concert began with the “Star Spangled Banner,” the crowd stood, and many sang along as the colors were presented by the American Legion.

A family tradition complete with root beer floats

Audience members, Ryan and Ingrid Forbes, listened with their children Gunnar, age 2, and Owen, age 4. The family was there because Ryan’s parents are with the Legion and “we’re down here to support the veterans and listen to some great music,” he said. His father, Greg Forbes, was one of the flag bearers opening the salute.

Ryan Forbes, Gunnar, 2, Owen, 4, and Ingrid Forbes enjoy root beer floats and the concert. (Photo by John Weiss)

The children seemed to be more interested in the root beer floats provided by Sunshine Foods and served by the American Legion Auxiliary. One of those scooping the ice cream was Sandy Bratcher with Bev Simpson pouring root beer. 

“It’s better because of all the patriotic music,” Bratcher said. “It stirs up feeling and pride in what we are and who we are. And we’re not getting a lot of love” from the rest of the world. She summed up the spirit of the evening when she said, “this is our little happiness.” By the way, she said they went through at least four gallons of ice cream but had no idea how much root beer.

Sandy Bratcher scoops ice cream for root beer floats while Bev Simpson pours root beer. (Photo by John Weiss)

Two veterans who stood when the army song was played were Dale Hoverman of Marion and Carmen Christianson of Preston.

Hoverman, who served from 1956-59, said, “We just love the band and martial band music.” There is a certain amount of pride, he said, in being able to stand and being applauded. It’s hard to explain why he has such pride in serving but said, “just being an American citizen is sufficient.”

Lit by the rays of the setting sun, Arleta Fenwick of Chatfield, in the foreground, and Debbie Elliott of Chatfield stand and clap at the playing of “Stars and Stripes Forever.” (Photo by John Weiss)

Christianson joined the Army in 1960, served six months in active duty and then as a reservist for several more years. He said he comes to the concerts every week. Yes, the salute is special, he said. “I’m proud that I’m a vet.”

In the end, when the sun was low and some had to shield their eyes from the light, the Chatfield Brass Band stirred the crowd and brought it to its feet, clapping and cheering, with John Philip Sousa’s rousing “Stars and Stripes Forever.”