Day 2: Hollywood and Marching Practice

Thankfully, after the huge travelling and rehearsing of yesterday, we were able to get a full 6 hours sleep. We were still tired though, so it was great to hear that there was another practice scheduled for early on in the day.

Singing in Chapel

This was not before Chapel, held in the main hall of the camp. This was a chance to gather with other young people who were going to be doing the Rose Parade with us in a few days: we were the visiting band, and those who were staying at the camp with us for the week came from corps all over the USA. For most of us, it was our first real chance to experience Army life in another culture, and even though we didn't at this stage properly engage with the other young people from America, it was still interesting to hear the different voices and conversations. After a period of prayer and singing, we heard a message about the importance of surrounding yourself with good friends - not just those who will 'support me whatever I choose to do' - but those who will question and challenge our decisions when they maybe aren't the best ones for us.

After this, we had a rehearsal. This was an unusual one in two respects: firstly, there was just one piece on the agenda, Stand Up, Stand Up, the new Rose Parade march as written by Paul Drury from Scotland and chosen by users of Saytunes. Secondly, we were rehearsing with our friends from the USA who we'd just begun to get to know in chapel. The purpose of the practice was to learn the march off by heart for the parade (in order to look good on TV, of course, by playing with no music). This culminated in a play-through at the end where everyone stood up to play without the notes in front of them but sat down when they made a mistake. Unsurprisingly, the tubas were all sat down by bar 7 and at the end only Ed Mylechreest was left on his feet out of the entire ensemble.

We perform in front of the famous sign

At 10.30am we got on the coach to travel to Hollywood. Steve Cobb had been telling us for months how unglamorous it was, but nevertheless that iconic Hollywood sign, the stars of the Walk of Fame and the hundreds of shops and people performing did not fail to impress. Admittedly some of the shops were a little tacky (cardboard cut-out of Charlie Chaplin, anyone?), but the afternoon outdoor concert in the Hollywood and Highland Center more than made up for it. One man was heard to comment at the end '6 tubas? That's divine...' - and he was clearly correct. Seriously though, there was a great atmosphere from those who listened to us, and we seemed to be well-received.

For some, eating out was a new challenge. Huge, high-in-fat, deep-fried portions of food arrived on our tables to looks of disbelief. As well as this, the vending machines looked vastly superior to British ones. It couldn't be easier to get something such as an iPod from one of these units.

Marching practice under the bright floodlights

More food was to follow after a long journey to Biola University, where a slightly lighter menu of pasta-based dishes was served to us. Then it was time for marching practice. This was largely fine (excepting the inevitable chafing) apart from the turns. For those on the right of the 9 or 10 strong lines, it was very easy - very small steps, of course - but for those on the left, it meant huge, fast lunging just to keep the lines straight. It felt ridiculous. Unfortunate, really, that turns were a problem, because we were doing laps of a soccer field and they happened to come up every 20 seconds.

Percussion was also very exciting. Unlike usually simple, straight-forward, British style marching rhythms, these ones had everything - exciting bongo fills were everywhere, and every 8 bars they seemed to have left a gap for members of the band to shout 'woo'.

Eventually, instruments were put to one side and a brilliant new piece of equipment was brought out - huge lengths of PVC piping! The idea was that each row had a length, and they were to hold this instead of instruments. Naturally, this was very funny.

Of course, it had been a long day. Again. We wanted to be refreshed for the next day's events. Steve Cobb decided to treat us - by holding another midnight practice. What a way to end the day. Thanks Dr Cobb.