Phil Becker’s Memorial Day address departed from the traditional. A trombonist, Becker told his story of joining the Army to play in its bands. Across his nine years I’m guessing he never engaged in combat.
Instead, his role was to console the heartbroken, inspire the conflicted and celebrate patriotism through music.
He noted in his speech that playing for the ceremonies for returning soldiers were his favorite and reinforced his sense of purpose with the military.
Now pursuing a doctorate in music, Becker is also serving as director of the Iola City Band, which performed at Monday’s service, playing the traditional national anthem and America the Beautiful.
After the Moran American Legion’s firing squad sounded three rounds, Becker calmed our nerves with a solo performance of Taps.
That’s a tough gig. And one that the recently deceased Andy Dunlap dutifully took on across the years. I’ll never forget the service in 2024 when fellow trumpeter Daniel Kays, the former director of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, stood by Dunlap’s side to “provide backup.” By midway, Kays was playing solo.
It’s only because I had my camera focused on Dunlap that I witnessed the exchange. Otherwise, no one was the wiser.
I called Kays, now executive director of the Topeka Performing Arts Center, Thursday morning to see if he recollected that Memorial Day service. He did.
Not only was Mr. Dunlap 85 years old at the time of the service, but as a veteran, Kays surmised he very likely was overwhelmed by the responsibility of playing the somber tune.
Though Taps is easy to play, “It’s the significance of the moment that makes it so difficult,” Kays said. “Knowing that you are playing for those who gave their lives for their country is a lot of pressure. You have to keep your wits about you.
“The notes are long, which require a lot of air. Any nervousness, which causes a shortness of breath, will be readily revealed,” he said.
Though Taps is typically played on a bugle, which Becker used in his performance, Dunlap preferred to stick with a cornet. The difference is that a bugle has no keys unlike a trumpet and cornet, which have three keys, explained Mary Ann Regehr, a member of the Iola band, who plays the trumpet.
Regehr echoed Kays’ assessment of Taps, adding that “It’s a good warm-up piece.” To distinguish between the song’s four notes, “you adjust your lip structure, how you hold your lips, and the air flow.”
Again, maintaining the dotted half notes is the challenge. Instead of a steady three beats, the notes are marked with a fermata, a symbol that indicates they are to be held for up to four or five counts, or until the sound naturally wanes.
Regehr also commended Becker as a director, now in his second year with the band.
“He’s pretty exacting. He makes us work on a piece’s finer points.”
