Good Morning Diary,
I wish to thank Pam for leaving this space in this diary for me. I thought she had written several preceding pages about our day trip but they appeared to have disappeared. Ummm! I also like to thank Pam for sharing the European trip with us. She has been a hoot despite the swollen ankles - just watch her race or hobble down those cobble streets to find that last elusive bargain.
This morning was another standard European trip morning, early to rise after a late night of partying. It was my birthday yesterday and it was great. The band greeted me with a song at breakfast, pampered me with presents and allowed me the front seat of the bus. It was amusing seeing people around me determining what was different about me. Did I grow a moustache in one day? Hmm. Excuse my writing - it’s the wheels on the bus going round & round. Once again I’m wearing my sunglasses hiding those bloodshot eyes.
Mathias and Sabine, my hosts, got me going this morning. We raced around early, delivering drinks to the clubhouse, before catching the guided tour of Marburg. We found the tour in the marketplace outside the old Rathaus (town hall), which is located in the old part of Marburg on the sides of the steep hill (mountain) that the Schloss (castle) sits (on top). The old town & cobble streets are found on the steep sides of the hill & because of this we used the lift to get to the market place, & guess what? The markets with all their stalls were operating for business. It was also cool to find the old house that the Brothers Grimm had lived in.
Marburg is a city of nostalgia, together with the growing, modern outskirts of the city. Marburg is also the university city with many of it’s buildings located in the old city. The 8 hour guided tour was condensed into 90 minutes, split into three groups, by both band members and our hosts who were glad enough to take a day off work. The tour of old Marburg ended promptly at midday to the sound of singing church bells ringing out across the valley below. We joined together for a picnic lunch in a beautiful rose garden setting next to the castle. After lunch we left separately with our hosts to do our own exploring. After scouting the ‘Elizabeth Kirche’, the first gothic church in Germany, we magnetically found other touring members in an outdoor cafe (with hosts). They hoed in a 21 scoop ice-cream, while I relaxed with a cappuccino. On our own again I did a tour of Mathias’ office. Then we went into a bank & surprised another Marburg member busy in her office, Sabine Pelz (flute/piccolo player) - these surprise visits are my forte - cool! We returned to the outskirt village of Mardorf (where I should have slept) & got ready for our concert where Pam will take up the report.
The concert started at precisely 19:00 hrs with John Philip Sousa’s "Washington Post", a very stirring rendition enjoyed by all present. There was a welcome to us in German, which was a bit hard to understand, I was glad when the translation in English took place, it was a very warm welcome! The soprano sax solo of "Yesterday" was just beautiful, the selection from Walt Disney movies was appreciated by all, there is something in this music everyone can relate to, young and old. The xylophone solo was expertly played by Ralf and was given a warm ovation. "Papa Came Home" was the next piece of music from a German film, very bright and cheery. Elke is a very good conductor and has the orchestra working very well together, expertly in fact.
Our band entered the stage at 8:10 p.m. after interval to a very enthusiastic applause. After a short tune up, we began playing. First number was "Concert Prelude", very well liked by the audience; they also gave Harold a warm welcome. Next came a fine performance of "Overture to a New Age" and was well received by the audience. "African Symphony" is a very stirring number and was very well performed by the band and sounded great in the hall we were in, the accoustics were very good. "Pacific Dreams" was next up and bought a little of the South Seas to the north of Germany. Kevin played a few notes on the didgeridoo and received great applause, now they will hear a bit more with the "Man from Snowy River" theme. Fatso had pride of place, residing in front of the stage in all his glory. Justin arrived on stage with Bluey in his pouch and his trusty lagerphone, Toni with her bullroarer and Kevin with his didgeridoo gave the final number "Waltzing Matilda" a real Aussie flair. I’m getting homesick, but I have 3 weeks to go yet to get back to Oz and loved ones, I know everyone is missing someone by now. Well, with a stirring & loud version of "Swing the Mood" a rocking time was had by all. After a lovely speech by Wolfgang and presentation of a plate depicting the friendship between our two communities, to hang in our hall as a remembrance of our lovely time in this beautiful town of Marburg, Harold made a wonderful speech to the people of Marburg, thanking them for their hospitality and their friendship through music.
