On Monday April 6, 2015 the Chestnut Brass Company stepped off a plane and began a six day U.S. State Department sponsored tour of Honduras. The second tour for the Chestnut Brass Company in Central America, expectations were high as the audiences in El Salvador had proven to be large and enthusiastic on our first State Department Tour. Honduran national and local TV and radio met the CBC for a press conference to kick off the tour and announce the agenda for “Cultural Envoys for Jazz Appreciation Month”. The selected repertoire for this tour featured many wonderful arrangements of jazz favorites by CBC tubist Jay Krush. Classic tunes artfully arranged and orchestrated featuring the virtuoso playing of the members of the Chestnut Brass Company were sure to find great audience appeal.
Day two (Tuesday), began with a meeting, master class and rehearsal with the Banda de los Supremos Poderes, The Banda would join the CBC performing a piece at the Teatro Nacional Manuel Bonilla on Wednesday evening. Tuesday finished with the Chestnut Brass performing an evening concert for the U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, James D. Nealon and his guests. The performance was in the garden at the ambassador’s private residence in Tegucigalpa with a gorgeous view of the city.
Wednesday morning began with a performance for the Escuela Nacional de Musica. After the initial presentation focusing on the roots or jazz and American values, the CBC separated for individual instrument master classes (trumpet, horn, trombone and tuba). Many of the eager students performed in the masterclasses and new friendships were made. A wonderful and informative exchange on brass pedagogical topics had taken place. Eyes were wide open and many smiles were present showing genuine warmth and a developing camaraderie was established.
As evening fell the CBC moved to the concert venue at the beautiful Teatro Nacional Manuel Bonilla. Built in the early 1900’s, the acoustics of the hall allowed a beautiful sound to resonate and the building’s interior design was reminiscent of an Italian opera house. The concert was received by a standing-room-only audience and was followed by an immediate standing ovation. A special moment in the evening’s performance occurred when members of the Banda de los Supremos Poderes joined with the CBC for a rendition of the St. Louis Blues March (Boulder Brass Edition). The shared music-making touched all who were present. Despite some language issues, it was fun making more new friends as smiles and hugs dominated the after concert on stage reception with the audience.
Thursday began with a drive to San Pedro Sula which gave the CBC an opportunity to see the beautiful countryside of Honduras. The landscape was filled with magnificent mountains and valleys in hues of vibrant greens. A common statement by members the CBC was that if this was the U.S. there would be numerous summer music festivals in such perfect settings. Having arrived at the city of San Pedro Sula, a visit/performance was in order at the Escuela de Musica Victoriano Lopez. The students were outgoing and that concert was followed by an exchange of questions and answers which made for a special and memorable event. The evening was open time and an excursion to a local Peruvian restaurant with CBC and Embassy staff was filled with story-telling, reminiscing special moments in tours and travels and fantastic food.
Friday morning saw a young people’s program at the Centro Cultural Samperano. As always the CBC felt the warmth and kindness of the people combined with a hunger for the exchange of information and ideas. After a lunch of Honduran delicacies the CBC returned for a second program with the English Access Micro-scholarship Program students. A discussion of American values and culture was presented in English. A CBC designed Honduran tour t-shirt was presented to participating students. An assortment of music from the specially selected repertoire chosen for Jazz Appreciation Month provided context to the live program notes.
A short voyage to souvenir shops filled a portion of the remaining afternoon. Beautiful treasures were sought and found. Colorful textiles, black and white pottery and Honduran coffee were among the chosen items.
The final concert was presented Friday evening to another standing-room-only audience. An appreciative standing ovation of the audience had the CBC playing “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Aint got that Swing” by Duke Ellington. Autographs and pictures with our many new friends followed. The concert was recorded for broadcast later on Honduran television.
Saturday came too quickly in a week that was an extraordinary experience for the Chestnut Brass Company. We were afforded a series of fantastic events to perform music, meet and make new friends and to have more than enough memories to last a life time. We had been given the opportunity to represent our country, the United States of America, presenting some of the finest music that opens hearts and extends goodwill to all who will listen. We thank Ambassador Nealon and his staff for inviting the Chestnut Brass and for helping make our visit to Honduras so successful. Our one regret was not having tried the national favorite dish, balleada. A return trip to Honduras would definitely seem in order.