Alder Valley Brass (AVB) started off 2011 with a very busy, tiring, but immensely enjoyable and successful trip to Waltensburg in Switzerland, the home of their bass trombone player Ivan Hunger.
The band was invited to Waltensburg, and sponsored by, the ‘Centre of Language, Culture and Information’ of the Romansh speaking valley of Surselva. The name of the culture programme “Schi lunsch naven” means “so far away” and gives the opportunity for local people like Ivan who live far away and are involved in the Arts, to return with their groups to perform in the heart of the Surselva valley in Ilanz.
Departing on the evening of Thursday 20th January the band travelled by coach and Eurostar arriving in Waltensburg mid-afternoon Friday. It was not long before the first of many jovialities occurred when it was realised one person had forgotten their passport and, although it didn’t cause a problem, he was not allowed to forget it throughout the trip!
Following some ‘socialising’ and an evening meal, the more adventurous among the party ventured into the mountains for some floodlit night skiing. The rest of the band had the more arduous task of watching them arrive at the bottom of the slope from the safety of a very nice bar – difficult work but someone had to do it! This was followed by a torch lit night hike back down through the mountains to the hotel where the band was provided with more refreshments.
Saturday started with a leisurely breakfast before taking the trip to the concert hall in the local town of Ilanz, where the band set-up and rehearsed for the evening concert. Time was then allowed for everyone to stroll the streets, have some lunch or go off skiing once more.
The evening meal was taken early prior to departing for the evening concert. A packed hall was treated to a varied and demanding programme, with numerous highlights throughout, with the opening of the concert featuring half of the band standing when playing the ‘Academic Fanfare’ by Peter Graham, which got the concert off to a rousing start. This was followed with an opening address by MD Roger Burke in the local language.
The compere for the evening was from the local radio station ‘Radio Grischa’. Jessica Maissen who presents the Romansh programme on a Thursday evening, and is a friend of Ivan’s, did a sterling job and kept everyone entertained.
The first half of the concert ended with the band gradually leaving the stage during ‘The Great Escape’, leaving EEb player John Gillespie playing on his own, which met with much laughter from the audience.
The second half of the concert started with AVB percussion section on stage gradually being joined by the various sections culminating with the solo cornets – or in this case trumpets, with another rousing number ‘Malaguena’. As usual the AVB soloists all performed magnificently. However, probably the most unusual and surprising soloist of the evening was second trombone player Andy White changing instruments to play ‘Highland Cathedral’ accompanied of course by the band. Now bagpipes are a bit like Marmite – you love’em or you hate’em! However, on this occasion it was the former.
Andy’s playing was of the highest order and, without the band having prior warning, following this piece he followed up with a Scottish ‘reel’ which lasted quite some time, giving the band a much needed rest. This was greeted with thunderous applause from everyone. There was no chance of the audience complaining about a boring concert, when the band continued by showing its singing prowess during Freddy Mercury’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’. There are no plans to enter the ‘X Factor’ or any other singing competition in the near future!
The final number on the programme was Dean Jones’ ‘Glorifico Aeternum’ which was met with shouts of Wow(!) and rapturous applause at the conclusion.
Presentations were then made by band Chairman Mike Balls to the compere Jessica Maissen and Managing Director of the sponsoring organisation, Martin Mathiuet.
AVB could not have got away without an encore and MD Roger Burke obliged the audience with the Radetzky March, with the usual audience participation, which brought a truly great performance to a fitting end.
The band retired to a local hotel for some liquid refreshment and supper prior to returning back to base.
Sunday was a leisure day. With some members going skiing (some for the first time) and others travelling by coach prior to taking the Glacier Express into the mountains for some sightseeing – and boy what sights there were. Clear blue skies, brilliant sunshine and staggering scenery made for a wonderful day out, with lunch being taken at various restaurants around the town of Andermadt.
After returning to base and dinner, a small ensemble gave a short concert for the hotel guests followed by a good night of socialising. It was an early start for AVB on Monday 25th January travelling all day with breaks along the way, arriving back at base in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
As one player said “Good music, good company, good food, good beer, great location and scenery – what more could you want”!
The band must thank Ivan, band Chairman Mike Balls and MD Roger Burke for a great weekend away.
See www.aldervalleybrass.org.uk for more information.