Day 10 - Dresden, Germany to Solingen, Germany

As has often been the case on this tour the day started early for us. We packed our gear and had a quick breakfast at the corps before saying goodbye to our Dresden hosts, Majors Jim & Judy Garrington. Jim and Judy are actually Central Territory officers and it was really great to spend some time visiting and seeing the work they are doing in Germany. Next month will mark their 23rd year of service in Germany.

We then loaded back on the bus and began what turned out to be an eight and a half hour journey to our last stop on the tour, Solingen, Germany. We had hoped to be able to visit the cathedral in Cologne. Our local hosts in both Berlin and Dresden advised that it would not be possible and they were right.

After our late afternoon arrival in Solingen we had a quick cup of coffee with the members of the German Staff Band under the leadership of Bandmaster Heinrich Schmidt.

Following coffee we had a quick rehearsal of three massed band items for the evening concert. The three massed items included "Precious Fountain" (Himes), "Milestone" (Himes) and "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral" (Wagner, arr - Himes).

The two bands joined together in a beautiful fellowship dinner buffet at the corps just prior to the concert.

The concert at Luther Church was extremely well attended by a very enthusiastic audience. In addition to our repertoire the German Staff Band played "The Kingdom Triumphant", "They Could Not" and "Godspell". From my chair it was a welcome relief after ten days on tour to hear this fine band.

Following the concert we began the arduous task of packing our equipment for the trip back to Chicago. In the confusion we neglected to tell our bus driver we were to join the German Staff Band at the corps for fellowship. We discovered the error to late and the Bandmaster had to call and extend our apologies to Bandmaster Schmidt. As it turned out we didn't arrive at the hotel until nearly midnight and we have a 5:00 am departure for the airport in Dusseldorf.

The playing part of the tour has ended and will begin the journey home soon. God has been good providing safe travel, good health and ministry opportunities.
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