Saturday, June 20, 2026
Keith is not in any groups playing at Wurst Brass Fest here in Amana, Iowa, this year, but he is subbing in three. He started the day playing soprano with Northwinds Brass Band. Two bands later, he was with Sheldon Theatre Brass Band playing flugelhorn. There was a pole in the way of any pictures I took today, so I took it out using the magic eraser tool on my phone. I think it did a great job (!?).
Benjamin sent some pictures and descriptions of his recent UK/Poland trip just as Keith went up on stage to get ready to play with the Sheldon. Wurst Fest is casual, like an outdoor concert but in a barn. People can be a bit chatty, and looking at your phone is not frowned upon. I was able to look at Benjin’s posts before the band started. Midway through their time, a new post came. I didn’t hesitate to read it. While reading and basking in my obvious fabulous parenting because of his what he was doing (he spent all of arcade tokens on plastic jewels), I heard some good solo stuff going on. I literally thought, “Who is playing that?” My head popped up and there it was Keith, playing oh so nicely.
Keith went to the brewery venue and played with Metro Brass Quintet. I stayed in the barn and listened to more brass bands. Julie Bird sent this great picture.
The host band of the festival, Iowa Brass, ended their set with Stars and Stripes Forever. They invited all of the soprano players to join them on the piccolo solo. It was a real crowd pleaser! (Julie got this picture, too)
Maybe I am missing something. Why does the sign say wurst FRASS festival? Not brass?
THAT’S where the pole was – right on the edge of the B. When I had the phone take out the pole, it decided it must be an F hiding under there. It just made me laugh. Took a while for Keith to notice