We set up in the main square in Ypres this morning and our open air concert was filmed by BBC TV before we had to cut it short due to bad weather. The Big Band managed to continue performing under the arches. Here is a clip of them performing Herbie Hancock's Cantaloupe Island with some great solo moments from all of the trumpet section, including our latest recruit, Jhonattan Goncalves from The Vale School.
In the afternoon we visited the Flanders Fields Museum to see a very detailed exhibition of WW1 memorabilia and explanations of the complexities of that tragic period in history.
This evening we gave our final performance in Ypres Cathedral. A youth orchestra from Northern Ireland formed the bulk of the audience for the first part of the concert, before they had to leave. They applauded enthusiastically and gave our young musicians the credit they deserved.
Lots of new friendships have been made and the collaboration has exceeded our wildest dreams. Thanks especially to Tony, Richard and all the staff and students from The Vale. Credit to all Big Band members for their musicianship and working together to achieve quick and complex set-ups and break-downs before and after the concerts.
We have just had a competition for the tidiest room and it is going to be very difficult to choose a winner!
A great venture all round. Many thanks to all the staff and students.
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