05/18/2026
Happy ! Meet Russ ⬇️
Russ Day has been part of the Sounds of Sawnee since 2004 and is a familiar face in our low brass section, where he currently plays tuba. While he enjoys playing the tuba, he shared that his favorite instrument is actually the euphonium. Russ first discovered our band through a newspaper ad and decided to sit in on a rehearsal when Alice was still directing. His wife Ann, a flutist, joined alongside him as well. Although arthritis has since caused her to step away from playing, music has continued to remain an important part of their lives together.
Russ’s musical journey began at just 6 years old with piano lessons. His teacher was the church organist, and one of his favorite memories was getting to play a processional hymn alongside her on the organ. Russ credits those early piano lessons with helping him develop rhythm skills that later carried over into brass playing. Music was always part of family life. Both of his parents sang in the church choir, and after seeing a neighbor learning piano, Russ decided he wanted to play too. His parents bought an upright piano, and before long all four brothers were taking lessons.
Practice time had to fit around sports schedules, so Russ practiced piano in the mornings before school. Competition was strong in the Day household both musically and academically. His three younger brothers all became valedictorians of their graduating classes, while Russ proudly noted that he was the highest ranking boy in his class. He also received the music award in high school, which helped provide scholarship support for college. He joked that all those piano lessons even paid off later in typing class, where he became one of the fastest typists around.
Russ began playing French horn in 4th grade after his band director selected the instrument for him because the band needed horn players. He stayed on horn through his junior year of high school before switching to euphonium his senior year. He also sings bass and has always enjoyed being involved in music in multiple ways.
He attended the University of Missouri, where he studied marketing and earned a business degree. During college, he marched one season with Marching MIZZOU in 1964 and recently returned to participate in alumni band homecomings, where he was recognized as the participant whose original marching year went back the furthest. Russ marched and performed with a fiberglass sousaphone during those alumni band homecomings. Russ also shared that he attended college at the same time as composer David Holsinger, who was then a trumpet player at Central Methodist College.
After college, Russ took a break from music from about 1965 to 1975 while beginning his career in traveling sales and customer service. Eventually he joined a community band in Orange Park, Florida on baritone and has remained musically active ever since. In addition to the Sounds of Sawnee, Russ currently performs with the Alpharetta Methodist Church Orchestra and previously played with groups including 8up with Dixie and the Forsyth Philharmonic.
One of Russ’s favorite musical experiences was performing in a Dixieland band with former member Rett for about 12 years. He laughed while recalling how their keyboard player did not read music, so the band simply played in whatever key she happened to choose. The group performed frequently at retirement communities, and they even found one of their banjo players at one of those performances.
Music has remained deeply meaningful throughout Russ’s life. He described it as “the best therapy in the world” and called music a universal language. One especially meaningful memory for him was getting to perform in a Sounds of Sawnee concert alongside both his son and granddaughter who used to be in our band.
Outside of music, Russ enjoys following auto racing, college football, and college basketball. He and Anne also love to travel, especially by cruise ship. Together they have visited five continents, including standing in both Europe and Asia on the same day while in Istanbul, Turkey. Russ especially loved visiting St. Petersburg, Russia and the Summer Palace. Princess Cruises is their favorite cruise line, and they have sailed with them 29 times already, including three cruises this year alone.
This July, Russ and Ann will celebrate 60 years of marriage as high school sweethearts. Please help us in congratulating these musical lovebirds!
When asked what he enjoys most about the Sounds of Sawnee, Russ answered simply: the friendships he has made. We are so thankful Russ continues sharing his musicianship, humor, and friendship with our band family.
