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 was a new fixture in the city and GWO was a part of that early history. Now, members of that first Pomaz ensemble have children of their own in the band and some of those original members still perform with the group. It feels like coming home for Drs. Nimmo, Fienen and me, but a bit unnerving for the members of the ensemble as they are paired up with host families and go off for the night. The words “comfort zone” are heard in conversations around the buses as we move our luggage and equipment into the meeting place, filled with our Hungarian friends who have been waiting for more than an hour for our arrival. Meet & greet, pair by pair, off into the night.
It will be fun to hear stories of this first night in the morning. By Monday, there will be many new friends.
However, our thoughts of our 5 days in Poland are fresh and wonderful. The people of southern Poland have adopted the GWO as their own. I suspect we could get dual citizenship if we asked. We are travelers in this country but we are welcomed as family and I trust this relationship will continue as we will always be welcome in this beautiful and historic land by these wonderful and gracious people.
From our concert at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Kety, Poland — enjoy.
Please look closely at the first photo of the carving above the altar at the church and then see the perspective from the audience. Something magical will appear.
Altar Piece (see larger photo) The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kety, Poland
The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kety, Poland
The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kety, Poland
The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kety, Poland
Well said Al. I remember the Christmas trees were still up Beautiful
Thank you for all the wonderful opportunities you are giving our college students. This tour is amazing!