This afternoon’s parade up the Avenue toward the Capitol was just a foretaste of Juneteenth music yet to come.

This evening is the first installment of the Battle of the Bands; there will be a second tomorrow evening. These are in honor of Alvin Patterson, longtime band director here in Austin at the old Anderson High. The location is Nelson Field at Reagan High and the doors open at six. Among the invited bands are these: Houston All-Star Band; Dallas-Fort Worth All-Star Band; Beaumont Central High School Band; Beaumont Ozen High School Band; Lafayette, Louisiana, Black Heritage All-Star Band; Memphis, Tennessee, All-Star Band; Hearne High School Band; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Leadership All-Star Band.

I loved the Hearne Band’s marching uniforms today. Every single person was wearing a T-shirt in the school colors, but it seemed as though there were at least a couple dozen different designs.

Today’s parade was in the sun; tomorrow’s will be along a shade-lined route, running from MLK and Comal to Rosewood, most likely. It will start at ten o’clock in the morning or shortly thereafter. Just listen for the percussion and you’ll find the parade.