Band rehearsal interrupted by severe weather

Tornado warnings send Community Band musicians scurrying for shelter

We were in the middle of "Amazing Grace" in the high school music room last night when the lights went out. It was 8 o'clock. Our momentum carried us through a few more measures in the dark, until we realized that this wasn't just a flicker. Then out came the cell phones, calling homes to see if lights were out elsewhere in the village and to find out if there were any tornado warnings. The answer to both those questions was yes. So, all 50-or-so of us put down our precious instruments and headed for the school office, the only interior room in the building to which we had access. Strains of "Dance Band on the Titanic" were playing in my head.

After a half-hour, another cell phone call informed us that the threat was over. But, we still had no lights. We huddled in the hall and agreed to schedule another rehearsal for 6 p.m. on Sunday, so we will be ready for our concert on Monday.

If you are a Community Band member who missed rehearsal last night, we hope to see you in the music room on Sunday at 6 p.m. If you are not in the band, we hope to see you on Monday at 7 p.m. at Mills Lawn School for a rousing Memorial Day Concert. We will be outdoors on the front lawn if the weather is good, in the gym if not.