Since 2000 the Harwich Royal British Legion Brass Band has been representing Brass Bands and British Culture on various tours and events in Europe. It is an amazing thing to take part in festivals such as the Europeade - where we have the opportunity to meet other cultures and people, making new friends and getting to show off all things British. It is also a wonderful experience to perform at these occasions, whether it's just on a side street in the middle of the day entertaining passers-by, or on a big stage playing to hundreds of people.
The band predominantly perform in the North East Essex area, but also participate in other UK based workshops. It was at one of these British Legion run workshops that we developed close ties with the RBL Victory Brass Band based in Portsmouth, Hampshire (www.rblvictorybrass.co.uk). With whom we have enjoyed a good number of joint ventures over the last five years both in Portsmouth and Harwich alike.
But then, in 2008 one of the Harwich Band's members had an idea! Why not take all the things that we try to represent; the British culture, British brass banding and our British heritage - basically our British-ness, beyond Europe?
Having taken a few destination suggestions from other band members and looked into any connection the British Legion may have with other countries the United States of America seemed like the best choice.
Because the American people are deeply patriotic and proud of their own heritage it was felt they would appreciate and, hopefully, even enjoy the quaintness of a Brass Band and the British Culture.
The first seeds were sown. Harwich USA was typed in to Google. There had to be a link as The Mayflower was originally a cargo ship based in Harwich, Essex, before being the vessel the Pilgrim Fathers used to make their way across the Atlantic.
There was no surprise when Google threw out Harwich, Massachusetts. An e-mail was composed and sent to the Chambers of Commerce and Guildhall in Harwich MA and the connection was made - the Mayflower clearly being the Ice-Breaker.
Our good friends from Victory Brass Band were also invited to join us in this ambitious task (organising a tour lasting for 16 days in a country over 5000miles away is no mean feat!).
Needless to say after many meetings, suggestions and a few setbacks along the way the final plans were finally in place.
Through the Harwich, M.A. Chamber of Commerce we were put in contact with the Harwich Town Band and two joint concerts have been arranged. As we are travelling with our Portsmouth friends it also seemed a good idea to visit Portsmouth, New Hampshire and from there we're heading south, dropping by New York and then on to Washington DC.
Over 750 days after the initial idea. Many hours spent on the phone and hundreds of e-mails, things are now set in stone and we are off to the New World with Victory Brass Band. Even Her Majesty the Queen sends us her warm wishes.
The band predominantly perform in the North East Essex area, but also participate in other UK based workshops. It was at one of these British Legion run workshops that we developed close ties with the RBL Victory Brass Band based in Portsmouth, Hampshire (www.rblvictorybrass.co.uk). With whom we have enjoyed a good number of joint ventures over the last five years both in Portsmouth and Harwich alike.
But then, in 2008 one of the Harwich Band's members had an idea! Why not take all the things that we try to represent; the British culture, British brass banding and our British heritage - basically our British-ness, beyond Europe?
Having taken a few destination suggestions from other band members and looked into any connection the British Legion may have with other countries the United States of America seemed like the best choice.
Because the American people are deeply patriotic and proud of their own heritage it was felt they would appreciate and, hopefully, even enjoy the quaintness of a Brass Band and the British Culture.
The first seeds were sown. Harwich USA was typed in to Google. There had to be a link as The Mayflower was originally a cargo ship based in Harwich, Essex, before being the vessel the Pilgrim Fathers used to make their way across the Atlantic.
There was no surprise when Google threw out Harwich, Massachusetts. An e-mail was composed and sent to the Chambers of Commerce and Guildhall in Harwich MA and the connection was made - the Mayflower clearly being the Ice-Breaker.
Our good friends from Victory Brass Band were also invited to join us in this ambitious task (organising a tour lasting for 16 days in a country over 5000miles away is no mean feat!).
Needless to say after many meetings, suggestions and a few setbacks along the way the final plans were finally in place.
Through the Harwich, M.A. Chamber of Commerce we were put in contact with the Harwich Town Band and two joint concerts have been arranged. As we are travelling with our Portsmouth friends it also seemed a good idea to visit Portsmouth, New Hampshire and from there we're heading south, dropping by New York and then on to Washington DC.
Over 750 days after the initial idea. Many hours spent on the phone and hundreds of e-mails, things are now set in stone and we are off to the New World with Victory Brass Band. Even Her Majesty the Queen sends us her warm wishes.
No comments:
Post a Comment