The Enderby Youth Band has just returned from a tour of the Vosges region of Eastern France, playing three successful concerts in the towns of Rambervillers, Vittel and Remiremont.
Invite
The band was invited by their good friend, Pierre Marie Budelot, who is Musical Director of Brass Band de Remiremont.
Although brass bands are something of a rarity in France, Pierre Marie is a great enthusiast, having established a band in nearby Sagona. The Remiremont Brass Band accompanied the Youth Band at two of the concerts.
The local audiences were delighted to have the opportunity to hear an English band – they were billed as 'Le Brass Band Anglais' – and Enderby Youth did not disappoint them, playing varied selections as well as old favourites. The fast-paced 'Kalinka' was a particular favourite of the audiences, as well as 'African Funk', in which the band sang in French.
At Rambervillers, the audience would not let the band off stage until they had played three encores, whilst at Vittel there were standing ovations and a further two encores4BR
Fluent
Simon Reeds, a former Youth Band member, now studying French at university, took on the role of Master of Ceremonies at the concerts, and his fluent French commentary and introductions were much appreciated by the audiences.
At Rambervillers, the audience would not let the band off stage until they had played three encores, whilst at Vittel there were standing ovations and a further two encores.
Encores
The final concert, in Pierre Marie’s home town of Remiremont, was performed to a packed house in the town’s Cultural Centre, and again two encores had to be played.
Trips
The band also managed to fit in trips to the historic city of Nancy, and the lakeside town of Gérardmer, where pedalos were hired and spiritedly raced across the lake.
Enderby Youth Brass Band will be hosting a visit to Leicestershire by the Remiremont Brass Band, in August, when they will repay the generous hospitality of their French hosts, and several joint concerts will be performed locally.
