Bill LeslieBill Leslie's Carolina Conversations
People are always asking me where to take vacation. What's a cool place? What's the most scenic drive? Carolina Conversations attempts to answer those questions and others.

Cary Band Day

If you were a band member in school what instrument did you play and what drew you to that instrument? Also, what are your favorite band memories? Please share your thoughts on these questions.

As you think about these things let's talk about one of the premiere band events in the Southeast. Cary Band Day kicks off with a huge parade November 1st emceed by legendary WRAL news anchor Charlie Gaddy. The field of bands participating in this colorful celebration of music is larger than ever. More than 35 bands will compete for prizes in the 50th edition of Cary Band Day.

Publicist Stan Hill says other highlights include the East Carolina University Marching Band. The Marching Pirates will perform in exhibition during the field show portion of Cary Band Day.

Also, The Cary High Marching Band will perform in exhibition during the field show portion of their show "Traditions" which is a tribute to past and present marching bands complete with wardrobe changes from yesteryear to present day.

What instrument did I play? Well, I started with the cornet in the fifth grade, transitioned to baritone and finished up with the tuba in middle school. Yes, Greg Fishel and I do have something in common!

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Isn't Cary Band Day Next weekend, Nov. 1st? I believe that Sanderson High School's Capital City Band Expo is this weekend. Thanks!

Bill,

Cary Band Day is Nov 1st. My daughter was in the Apex HS Marching Band and now is a member of the ECU Marching Pirates. ECU is performing at this year's event. We will be there, we have enjoyed the competition and show for the past 4 yrs. It's a great evening of wonderful music by our talented HS students from all over the region.

The date has been corrected. My apologies.

That gives folks a week to make plans to attend...:)

I played violin from fifth grade through high school, but always wanted to be in the marching band. Thought about learning to play the glockenspiel so that I could join the band, but never did.

I played xylophone and other mallet percussion in all the high school bands and the orchestra. I played in the orchestra through college. I chose the xylophone because I knew how to play piano and it was an easy transition.

One of my fondest memories of band is the bus rides back from away games lip-locking with my high school sweetheart, a trombone player.

i was in the colorguard in high school. Some of my best memories are road trips to competitions and just hanging out with the rest of the bad. Those were some great times. And of course Cary Band Day was always the highlight of our season. Wonderful memories.

I was in the Cary High Marching Band all four years- I graduated in 1994. I played trumpet because it was the loudest instrument! (If you knew me in person, you'd say that made sense!) The best part was the trips we took, especially to Disney World. The band alumni is planning to form a band and march on Cary Band Day, but I have put my marching days far behind me! I will go to watch, though.

Burke Buddy ... As a drummer in our award-winning high school band, my two favorite memories are of concluding our performance as the pre-game show band at the Shrine Bowl in Charlotte's Memorial Stadium by backing off the field playing the closing segment of 1812 Overture and then proudly stepping down Canal Street in Mardi Gras parade playing South Rampart Street Parade.

We're planning to attend the Cary Parade next weekend for the first time in probably 30-some years. My family used to live on Walnut Street in Cary in the OLD OLD days when Cary was just an ant hill; I think a population of 3,000 when my parents moved here in the late 50s. We still have slides somewhere that my father took of the Cary Parade passing by our house.

Bill, if you liked Villa Capri, Daniel's in Apex might just come close. I just caught the news this morning. The Apex restaurant is very popular, wonderful food, and the mussels with garlic and white wine are the best I think I have ever had in my life.

Everybody enjoy the Fair, the weather, and the Parade! Allison

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