Usually the end result of summer camp is dirty laundry and a case of poison ivy.
While it’s likely those who attended the Brass Band of Battle Creek’s Camp Avalon went home with plenty of the former, it’s also likely they went home even better musicians.

There were 51 student musicians from around the world at this first-ever camp and the product of their hard work was a concert Saturday at W.K. Kellogg Auditorium.

While it is more appropriate to call this a Brass Band concert as the band dominated most of the program, the “Avalon Brass Band” had several ourstanding selections on their own.

I’ve heard the stately “Fanfare and Fourishes” as a piece for trumpet and pipe organ, but it translates well into a brass band number. For such a young group of musicians to grab onto this piece and turn out a polished performance in a week is remarkable and amazing. Avalon’s rendition of “Amazing Grace” served up some beautiful rich undertones in a moving rendition of this church hymnal standard.

Matthew Murchison of Denton, Texas, was chosen as the soloist during “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms,” a piece that brought out the warm alto tones of Murchison’s euphonium.

Throughout the rest of the concert, members of the Avalon Band sat in on selections featuring the Brass Band of Battle Creek. This was a more casual version of the band Battle Creek usually sees-- khaki pants and polo shirts replaced tuxedos.

But it was the same fine performance Battle Creek is accustomed to hearing. Particularly oustanding was Berlioz’ “Roman Carnival Overture,” as well as some jazzy renditions of Leonard Bernstein’s “Tonight” and Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust.”

Featured as soloist and also arranger on the latter was Andrew Neesley, the son of BBBC
tuba player Dan Neesley. It’s evident here the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Perhaps one of the strongest pieces was not in the regular program, but part of the encore.

Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” thundered through the auditorium. The audience, left breathless at first, jumped up and gave it a well-deserved ovation.

If this concert is any indication, the inaugural year of BBBC’s Camp Avalon was
a resounding success.