The Hallmark Band

If you weren't familiar with the Hallmark company culture, you might be surprised to find out that we have a company sanctioned band. We perform at least 4 times a year. Our biggest concerts include the fourth of July concert and the two Christmas concerts. Hallmark holds a family night every year where employees can bring there families in to eat, shop, and listen to the band. Oh yeah, Santa comes to visit the children.

As you might imagine, Hallmark is very good about decorating the premises for the holidays. This tree, one of many, stands in the cafeteria where we hold most of our concerts.

Kansas city is all about crowns. The KC Royals use a crown, the KC Kings used a crown (before moving to Sacramento), and Hallmark uses a crown (e.g. Hallmark Gold Crown Stores). This a picture of the light fixtures in the cafeteria (officially known as the crown room).
Our band conductor comes in once a week to lead our group. He does a great job. We've had several conductors over the years. The founder of the band (pictured here with a Dr Seuss Santa hat) doubled as Santa this year.


I played trumpet for several years as a kid before I got braces. Here I am with the rest of the awesome trumpet section playing a Christmas jingle. To my left is my fellow friend and coworker, Bruce. He used to play in the BYU marching band. We're distantly related, by the way--his niece married my cousin. That makes us...?
The band is fun, and that's why I play. I have to work it into my weekly work routine, but it's definitely worth it. Several band members are excellent musicians, so I count myself lucky to be a part of this group.