Join us for this year’s Aptos Fourth of July Parade
All levels of musical ability are welcome to play. We have enough pro musicians that can make the band sound great while giving the newer players a positive experience.
“Trout Gulch Marching Band featuring the Pleasure Point Horns” plays a Hodge Podge of genres such as John Phillip Sousa’s “Stars & stripes Forever,” The Beach Boys, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Beatles and Stones songs, Punk, New Orleans — just about everything played on brass & woodwind instruments. We send out the music in advance so the players can review their parts … or most folks just sight-read the gig. We keep the musical literature at an easy, high school level.
One thing — we don’t practice. Most of our players are professional musicians so that any level musician can play with us and we pros can make it sound great every time. We help the beginner and intermediate players have a fun time. The band has many students from Cabrillo College as well as from Aptos and Soquel High Schools.
The musician’s kids & friends also walk along with us, waving flags and twirling batons.
Another thing — we don’t march in rank and file. We just walk on down the road. No uniforms — everyone is welcomed to wear what they like, which makes for some interesting visuals.
I started playing in the parade about 25 years ago after I noticed that at that time there were no musical groups in the parade. We’ve played almost every year since, and have won ‘Best Musical Group’ a number of times. — Dan Young.
For those interested in joining us email: [email protected]