Another brass band story
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341723)
Rockingham, Australia
December 10, 2024 6:03pm CST
It seems few remembered my story about conducting the brass band so perhaps you’ve forgotten or haven’t heard this one either.
I hadn’t been in the band long when we had to play for Anzac Day. This involved marching. I had thought that the first step forward was always with the left foot but I’d also heard drum majors call out ‘by the right’ on occasion so I thought maybe sometimes you have to start with the right foot.
I’m one of those who have trouble with left and right but I worked out which was which before we started and was happy that I was all prepared. However, I found myself doing a quick shuffle when the command ‘By the centre’ was called out. It turns out that ‘By the left/right/centre’ meant that you take your dressing from the left, right or centre.
The photo is another of the swans in the mall of a new hospital complex. This is outside the aged care building so the swan’s glasses and slippers seem very appropriate.
18 people like this
16 responses
@JudyEv (341723)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Dec
To take your dressing means to keep in straight lines with the right amount of space between you, etc. To dress from your right, you'd look right and keep in line with that person. To dress from the centre, the outside people would look towards the centre and keep in line with the middle person.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
11 Dec
I was well prepared for marching in boot camp after being in junior high school band.
Love the swan, especially the slippers and the glasses. Looks like Mother Goose.
4 people like this
@1creekgirl (41686)
• United States
11 Dec
That's a cute story and adorable swan!
4 people like this
@Manasha (2807)
• Pondicherry, India
11 Dec
What a delightful story! Marching with the brass band sounds like quite the adventure, especially with the added challenge of figuring out "left" and "right." It’s such a relatable mix-up—I think many of us would have had that same moment of confusion with the "By the centre" command. It’s great that you can laugh about it now and share the memory; these little moments of uncertainty make for the best stories later on.
As for the swan sculpture, it sounds absolutely charming with its glasses and slippers! It’s such a clever and thoughtful touch for the aged care building—something whimsical and comforting for residents and visitors alike. Public art like that can really brighten a space and spark joy.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! Have you had any other memorable or funny moments while performing with the band?
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (80635)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Dec
I love the slippers and glasses on this one,
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30539)
• United Kingdom
13 Dec
@JudyEv For a man (unless he favours the tight variety of underwear), things tend to dangle down one trouser leg. And the expensive tailors actually adjust the legs to take account of that so that they look even, otherwise one trouser leg can look a bit tighter than the other. Once you know about it you can see the effect!
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30539)
• United Kingdom
12 Dec
@JudyEv Ah I see, thanks.
The wording reminded me of once when my Dad had gone to a rather posh menswear shop and was trying on a suit. The shop assistant asked him "Do you dress to the left or the right Sir?" and he didn't know what that meant.
2 people like this
@Beestring (14672)
• Hong Kong
11 Dec
That is another cute sculpture. Love the slippers.
2 people like this
@Ghostlady (1384)
• United States
11 Dec
Been so long since I marched in a band I couldn't tell you which foot we started with. LOL I played the Flute so I marched without ever looking down. Hope I did it right. 
2 people like this
@JudyEv (341723)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Dec
In some of the parades, we had to follow the horses so you needed to look down to dodge the droppings! lol
@allknowing (137552)
• India
12 Dec
Quite complicated with all those left, right an centre 'orders; (lol)
@LindaOHio (181177)
• United States
11 Dec
My husband always gets his left and right confused. That's a cute swan. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
