Archive for 2014
Home Away From Home in Pomaz
While I’ve mentioned that the home stays in Pomaz/Budapest caused a little stress for the Gusties before the moment they met their host families, these photos from the morning we said our goodbyes and left Pomaz will better express the value of the experience. Some of the host “parents” were in the band at the […]
Coming Home
As I packed my last items into my suitcase this morning, preparing for our flight home today, I was drawn to the sense of fulfillment that I have known during the past five weeks, and in particular, since arriving in Europe some two weeks ago. There are no words that properly or adequately describe what […]
All Good Things…..
As with all good things, after 16 days visiting and making music in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Austria, it is time for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra to close the curtain on its 2014 European Concert Tour. As I write this, the members of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra are hiking or riding from the […]
Hungarian Connections
Yesterday, the musicians of GWO woke up in Hungarian homes, having spent the previous evening trying to connect via language and culture. Some had expressed a bit of nervousness as their names were being called by Al Behrends to be paired with their hosts. But when the sun rose over the Danube in the morning, […]
Sometimes a Tourist
The Gustavus Wind Orchestra’s second day in Hungary allowed for another amazing day on the 2014 concert tour. As promised, our great friends in Pomaz (outside Budapest) packed the auditorium at the music school for our concert. Every space in the auditorium was filled including standing room along the walls and the entire lobby. However, […]
Hungary, We Have Returned!
On day 10 of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra’s 2014 concert tour in central Europe, we have arrived in Budapest, Hungary, and our time for home-stays on the tour. We arrived in Budapest to an assembled host of friends from the Pomaz Music School who have become our friends over 20 years. In 1994, the school […]
Remembering
Yesterday, we visited Auschwitz. We had left Krakow earlier, with the GWO members in their usual high spirits, with happy faces and excitement “posted” for the day. But as we drew near to the place where so many perished, the bus grew silent. We were about to stand on sacred soil. There are no words, […]
Departing from Kraków
This morning we will load up and depart from the beautiful snowy city of Kraków. Yesterday started with a City Tour up to 13th century Wawel Castle, then walking down into the main square with its magnificent open market. During our driving tour, we passed by the Enamelware factory run by Oskar Schindler (as seen […]
Moments from Krakow
Although it’s simple to use the imagery of music as the universal language, it’s so very true. As our time in Krakow came to a close we looked back at the concert at Miechow and its spectacular Basilica and to our return to St. Katherine’s in Krakow. Music is magic and it crosses all ages […]
More from Miechów
Last night, the student musicians of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra (GWO) performed in the Bascilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Miechów, Poland. This 14th century Gothic Bascilica, rebuilt in Baroque style in late 18th century after a fire, incorporates some Romanesque stone-work from the 13th century. The origins of the church date back to 1163, […]