Band Tour – Brussels 2010

We were subsequently delighted to be able to accept an invitation to visit Nigel Clarke in his home country of Belgium to perform at, amongst other venues, the Chateau of Lavaux Sainte-Anne, a stunning castle in an idyllic setting dating back to the first half of the 15th Century. So in October, we made an early start from our rehearsal rooms in Eynsford, bound for Brussels.

We were joined at the Chateau by guest soloist Linda Merrick, a renowned Clarinettist, who played the evocative Clarinet Concerto by Martin Ellerby to rapturous applause. Nigel’s composition Heritage provided the centrepiece, being immediately preceded by a recital by Martin Westlake of his sister poem What Hope Saw.

During our four day tour of Belgium, we also had the privilege to perform at the European School in Brussels, where we were shared a wonderful interactive musical experience with the school’s extremely enthusiastic international students. A lighter programme of music from the band was interspersed with an enchanting performance by the school’s incredibly accomplished young string players. As a reward for our efforts, were treated to a lavish school dinner in their enormous dining hall.

Never ones to miss an opportunity, we managed to squeeze in a performance at a local music festival in Merksem, Antwerp on route home to England. After a whistle stop tour of a service station for a spot of lunch, we arrived at the venue to a warm welcome. We took the opportunity to listen to a number of accomplished local bands entered in the festival, before performing ourselves in the impressive concert hall. The festival then culminated in a stirring massed bands performance of Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral. At the end of the festival we were again treated to a feast of sandwiches and beer, which we heartily ate whilst bonding with the local musicians.

The tour was thoroughly enjoyed by all offering an eclectic mix of bustling city culture, wonderful shops and stylish architecture together with a chance to experience picturesque country scenery peppered with a generous portion of Belgian hospitality. Many of us also had a burning desire to sample some of the famous Belgian chocolate!

Tour complete, and spirits high, we boarded the coach and headed towards Eurotunnel for the homeward stretch, with time to contemplate another memorable tour, to a wonderfully welcoming country.