Crystal Palace Band returns from Epernay
The August Bank Holiday saw Crystal Palace
Band travelling to Epernay, a picturesque
town in the Champagne region of France. This
was the Band's first trip here, but not the
Band's first association. A few years ago,
the Band performed Grieg's Piano Concerto
with soloist Richard Dunbril. His parents,
Richard and Suzanne Dunbril, met during the
war and then settled in Epernay. When Roger
Clements, the Band's Chairman, wrote to Suzanne
about the possibility of the Band visiting
France for this year's trip she put him in
touch with Philippe Gintzburger. Philippe
is the Minister of Culture for Epernay and
the surrounding regions, and an ex professional
Tuba player - and invited us to participated
in Epernay's annual Summer Music Festival.
The first concert was played on Saturday
night at Le Place Mendes-France. With the
sun setting in the background the Band played
for two hours, going on to a dinner nearby,
which Philippe had arranged. The second concert
was on Sunday morning, on the steps of the
Hotel de Ville. This performance was followed
by a formal Civic Reception in the Town Hall
Building, where well-earned thanks were given
to Suzanne, Philippe and everyone else involved
in organising the trip, and a plaque of the
Band's logo was presented to Philippe.
Along with the concerts, the Band visited
two Champagne Houses and made use of the
many excellent bars and restaurants in the
town! The trip was an outstanding success
and thanks must once again be given to all
those involved in its organisation, most
noticeably Suzanne and Richard Dunbril, Philippe
Gintzburger and Roger Clements.
The following is an extract from an article
in "L'Union", the local newspaper
of Epernay. To read it in its entirety, to
view photos or to hear more about the Band's
trip to Epernay, either visit the website
on www.crystalpalaceband.fsnet.co.uk or contact
the Editors.
"A square laid out under hundred year
old trees, a good weather forecast for once,
high quality musicians, all the ingredients
came together for the [Saturday night] concert
given by the Crystal Palace Band, honoured
guests for the weekend.
[Mike Gray, the
conductor] directs them with great competence
that has allowed them to achieve a particularly
high level of music while still staying rooted
in the life of the local community. With
typical British 'cool'
all musical genres
were undertaken without any worries. Music
from variety shows, from films, jazz and
the classical and traditional styles gave
the instrumentalists the opportunity to show
their abilities that, it must be said, nobody
doubted. [Sunday's concert] enchanted the
public once again - and they want more!"
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PALATIONS ISSUE 1
If you wish to contact the editors, please
do so via the following ways:
friendsofcrystalpalaceband@hotmail.com or
Clare Lipscombe, tel. 020 8655 2511
If you have a general band enquiry (e.g.
you would like to join the band, or would
like to book the band) please contact the
Secretary, Rachel Bleach, on 020 8776 2520,
or riz.bleach@btinternet.com - or visit the website, www.crystalpalaceband.fsnet.co.uk
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