Bhavneet Ghuman
This summer, the young musicians from Eynsford Concert Band swapped rehearsal rooms for Fjords, joining 50+ playing members of the band and over 100 friends and family aboard Fred.Olsen’s Borealis for a 5-night cruise to the Scenic Fjords of Norway.
It was a unique chance to make music in unforgettable places, explore new parts of the world, and spend time together outside the usual rehearsal and concert settings.
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Exploring and performing in Bergen and Ulvik
We performed three concerts during the cruise, each one with a different theme. The first of which was a ‘Movie Matinee Concert‘, performed during our first afternoon at sea while we battled through some seas that were a little rougher than we were expecting. Our performance of Mission Impossible seemed very apt, given the way some of us were feeling!
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In Bergen we had time to explore the harbour, walk through the colourful wooden buildings, and take in the views from the surrounding hills. One of the highlights was riding the Fløibanen funicular railway, which took us up to Mount Fløyen. From the top, we were treated to incredible panoramic views of the city. Some of us even followed the forest trails and met the famous mountain goats.
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Later in the trip, we arrived in Ulvik, a quiet village tucked between dramatic fjords. We spent the afternoon kayaking on the water, surrounded by mountains and calm skies. A few of us even braved a quick swim – freezing, but a great story to take home.
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One of the most magical moments of the trip was our second concert, a ‘Sail-Away Party‘ held on deck in front of the Lido as we departed Ulvik. Surrounded by towering mountains and the calm water below us, we played to a backdrop that no concert hall could ever match.
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Our third concert was ‘An Afternoon at the Proms‘, performed on our last day as we sailed towards home. It included Grieg’s Hall of the Mountain King – a fitting piece having just visited where Grieg lived and worked in Bergen. It was one of those full-circle moments that reminded us how music can really connect you to a place.
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Games, Music, and Midnight Hot Dogs
When we weren’t performing or exploring, there was no shortage of things to do on board. Evenings were filled with card games, watching the shows, and a particularly memorable karaoke night. One evening we joined a silent disco, which turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly fun parts of the week – three music channels, one dance floor, and a lot out of tune singing.
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And yes, the midnight buffet became something of a regular meet-up. Hot Dogs at midnight? Hard to say no, really!
More Than Just Rehearsals
It wasn’t just about the activities – it was the time spent together that made the trip. Getting to know each other better and becoming part of a community.
The cruise was a great example of what the ECB Young Musicians Academy is all about. Yes, it’s about improving your playing and being part of a high-quality band – but it’s also about enjoying music with others, growing in confidence, and being part of something that goes beyond the rehearsal room.
Want to Get Involved?
If you’re a young musician looking for more than just a weekly rehearsal, then Eynsford Concert Band could be the next step for you. Our Young Musicians’ Academy currently has vacancies for Oboe, Bassoon, French Horn and Tuba.
Whether you’re aiming to improve your playing, perform in exciting settings, or just want to be part of a welcoming and ambitious group, we’d love to hear from you.
To find out more visit www.eynsfordconcertband.co.uk or contact us on [email protected]
