I recently took a trip to Spain during the week of Easter. One of the most spectacular events in Spain is Semana Santa, which takes place during Holy Week before Easter. In Andalucía processions take place every day and special ones take place on certain days of the week. In each city, several different brotherhoods run each procession. Each procession contains floats with depictions of Jesus and Mary, which are carried by members of churches (Los costaleros). Floats are proceded by members of the church (penitentes) which vary in length. The precession stops every 50 yards or so to set down the float and let the crowds admire it (and to allow the float-berers some rest and occasionally to swap duties). The processions can last hours and draw thousands of spectators. An integral part of these processions is the music. Bands travel behind the floats and play throughout the processions. The bands also travel with a huge percussion section that sets the tempo for each piece. To me, the most amazing thing about these processions is a sense of civic pride. All the city residents gather to watch the procession and they bring with them a massive sense of pride and respect for the musicians and the penitentes. The musicians are a huge part of the process; as a musician, it is something I would like to see everywhere. Almost all of the processional music is played at the same tempo which matches the footfalls of the penitentes. The music heavily features trumpet, bass, and percussion. The percussion begins every piece by establishing the tempo. Then, the rest of the band begins to play with the tuba establishing a bass line for the trumpets to play over. The music from the processions can be heard all around the streets and you can always find a procession by following your ear. Around procession time, you can also see children running around with toy drums or trumpets as they prepare to celebrate. The tradition of these processions go back hundreds of years and has been one of the most special aspects of my trip.