GERMAN FRIENDSHIPS CEMENTED BY THE SLEAFORD CONCERT BAND

During the recent half-term break The Sleaford Concert Band travelled to Berlin to stage three very prestigious concerts.  After leaving Sleaford on the Monday morning the Band flew to Shonefield Airfield in Berlin.  On the Tuesday the musicians were given a guided tour of the Reichstag Building by the Mayor of Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf, Sleaford’s twin town.  That evening the band played their first concert in the fantastic Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtnis Kirke (Blue Church).  Tourists came and went during the concert but by the end a good number had stayed to listen.  On Wednesday a trip to the top of the Fernsebturm – Television Tower, gave everyone a superb view over the city.  Then a forty-five minute train ride to Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf where the second concert was to take place.  The audience received the band with 5 encores and the hospitality was second to none. The warmth of our welcome will stay in our memories for many years to come.  Our last day in Berlin consisted of a boat trip on the River Spree seeing the sights and in the evening a concert in one of Berlin’s oldest churches, The Marienkirche.

The visit to Berlin was expertly organised by Malcolm Goodman and the trip was totally self-funded by the band and its musicians.  The standard of the musicianship throughout the duration of the visit was exemplary.  A huge success by everyone involved. 

All the musicians would like to thank the local businesses who contributed donations towards the cost of trip.  The Band is now planning a musical visit to Paris in May 2013.