As has been their tradition for more than 20 years, the National Capital Band of The Salvation Army (Bandmaster James Anderson) kicked off their season with a retreat at Camp Happyland in central Virginia, held 9–10 September. This year, there was a bit of a twist to the retreat, as the band actually had an engagement on Saturday evening, instead of simply having a rehearsal weekend. The band played at Hurkamp Park in the historic city of Fredericksburg in support of a fund-raising event for the local Salvation Army corps. Although the band was reduced in number as several members were involved in relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, the event was still a good beginning to the season, which will feature a weekend celebrating the band’s 80 years of continuous service, to be held in November.

The 17th annual Great American Brass Band Festival was held in Danville, Kentucky 10–12 June 2005. The festival, held primarily on the campus of Centre College, is hosted by the Advocate Brass Band, based in Danville. Participating groups in the 2005 festival included historic re-enactment bands, such as Saxton’s Cornet Band and Dodworth Saxhorn Band, playing mid-19th century instruments. The jazz brass tradition was represented by groups such as the Great Olympia Traditional Jazz Band, the DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra, and Rhythm & Brass. The British brass band style was represented by the Chicago Brass Band (current North American Brass Band Association champions), the Athena Brass Band (an all-star, all-women group), and the National Capital Band of the Salvation Army. (For a complete list of performers at the 2005 festival, see the GABBF website at www.gabbf.com.) Featured soloists included Dr. Patricia Backhaus, trumpeter Allen Vizzutti, and euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead.