We’ve just returned from the first European Championship for Wind Orchestras, held in the Tivoli Vredenburg concert hall, Utrecht on Saturday 21st May 2016.
A great experience. Such a high profile and well organised event, a fabulous concert hall and Europe’s greatest wind bands. A privilege for us, a small community band from Kent, to be representing the UK.
We played well (we think) but the competition was tough and arguably in a different league to us. But we didn’t disgrace ourselves and didn’t feel too out of place. We came home with 8th place and with a score that was close to some other great bands, so we are holding our heads up high.
The winner was the great Dutch band – Koninklijke Harmonie van Thorn, playing one of the finest pieces written for wind orchestra. Their 120 strong band, 2 harpists, 5 cellos, 3 double basses and 100 strong choir was a stark contrast to our 45 keen amateurs and we’re pretty sure that they have trouble fitting them all into their local school hall for rehearsals every Tuesday night!
We are very proud of our achievement, to have pushed ourselves well beyond our comfort zone and to be the first band to represent the UK in the Europe.
If you are interested, further pictures and insights to the event have already been posted on our Facebook page.
