BEYOND T H E B OO K S
news and notewort h y e v ents
Jammin’ in Germany By Charlie Cassoli ’15
During summer vacation, the Brunswick Blue Notes, led by band conductor Paul Raaen, chaperones Beth Raaen, John Martin and Deb Hull, toured throughout Germany and Austria. Leaving for Germany on June 7, the group flew into Frankfurt International Airport and then on to Berlin to begin the tour. During their time in Europe, the Blue Notes visited cities and viewed
Organization) Barbecue for U.S.
“The album
military stationed overseas, as their
is made up of a
many historical destinations that
last performance. The USO is a
combination of
Germany and Austria have to offer.
nonprofit organization serving U.S.
pieces that the
troops and their families.
Blue Notes have
In Germany, the group visited Berlin, Munich, Leipzig (one of
Before the band “crossed the
traditionally played over
the favorite destinations) and
pond,” it recorded a professionally
the years,” Mr. Raaen said. “But
Wiesbaden. In Austria, members
arranged CD. Over the course of
it also has some new pieces that
stayed with local families of
a three-day period in April, the
we performed for the first time
students attending The Convent
Brunswick Blue Notes recorded
this year, such as ‘Topsy,’ ‘Four
of the Sacred Heart, a school in
10 tracks to be put on the new
Brothers’ and ‘Take Five.’”
Bregenz at which the Blue Notes
album, entitled “Blue Notes: Live
played a great concert.
in Baker Theater.”
While overseas, the band was
The album features a range of
Raaen communicated his particular enthusiasm for songs
Copies can be purchased at the Brunswick Bookstore for $10. For the Blue Notes, the trip was a major success. The band performed well and improved as the tour progressed. Next year, the group will have lost many seniors, but looks forward to getting back into the band room and honing its musical skills.
B
such as “Groovn’ Hard,” “Blues in
featured in multiple concerts
music, from rock songs to jazz tunes
the Night” and “Feels So Good.”
in venues ranging from packed
composed by some of the most
The album was sold and given
churches to a USO (United Service
famous artists in music history.
away during the tour.
www. br u nsw i cksc h oo l . org
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