2001: New South Wales, Australia
To the ensemble, 2001 is a year which will never be forgotten. For the first time in it's existence, the ensemble went on a concert trip outside of the European borders. It became the longest, most incredible and by far the most distant trip ever. To the conductor (Still Jef Van Boven at that moment) and the members, this trip was a dream come true. No one would ever have thought we would be able to do this.
It all started with some advertisement in a few specific flute-newsgroups on the Internet. Rather quickly, we received a reply from someone in Australia. A lot of work and 11 months later, we were the guests of the Wollongong Conservatorium Senior Flute Ensemble's. Wollongong, a town to the south of Sidney, is located between the sea and the mountains.
During these two weeks, the ensemble performed several concerts in the Wollongong area. Apart from some regular evening concerts (e.g., in Gerringong and Wollongong) the ensemble also played in several schools. It being the first time the ensemble performed for an audience of primary school pupils, several members really enjoyed these concerts, all agreeing this was something to repeat.
Besides playing the concerts, there was enough time to explore the region. The ensemble spent two days in Sidney, a metropolis having as many similarities as it has differences with the European cities we know. Three days in the blue mountains, a gigantic wild park west of Sidney, was also on the itinerary. Walking through and enjoying the Australian nature was the ideal relaxation amidst the music.
To Jef Van Boven, founder of the ensemble and conductor up to 2001, this was to be his last trip with the ensemble. One couldn't imagine a better way to end his "Pauly career"!
As usual, time went by too fast and we had to return home, carrying wonderful memories and many ideas to host our new friends from 'Down Under' here in Belgium. This happened approximately 12 months later, in October 2002, when we were visited by 'the Aussies'. They performed in Antwerp and surroundings, and in Ostend. Apart from that, they had the opportunity to get a taste of many cities, such as Antwerp, Amsterdam, Paris and London. It was an experience as incredible as ours a year earlier... and in the meantime we made a few very good friends!
Overview of concerts
- 19-07-2001 20u15 Wollongong
- 20-07-2001 19u30 Gerringong
- 24-07-2001 10u Wollongong, St Joseph's Albion Park
- 25-07-2001 11u Wollongong TIGS
- 25-07-2001 19u30 Stanwell Tops, Conference Center
- 26-07-2001 10u Helensburgh, Primary school
- 26-07-2001 11u Helensburgh, Primary school
- 26-07-2001 12u15 Helensburgh, Primary school
- 28-07-2001 19u30 Wollongong, St Mark's Church, Farewell concert
