In February 2023, the Corsham Windband Association were hosted by Orchestre d'Harmonie de Schiltigheim, one of 300 wind bands who meet regularly in the stunning Alsace Region of France.  This was our first tour since the pandemic, given the inevitable impact we invited past and family members to join us, the age range of our performers was 3 to 75 years old, with two families represented by three generations of musicians – the majority of players remained 8 – 18 years old.

Our Repertoire

Joint Items with Orchestre d'Harmonie de Schiltigheim:

Corsham Windband Association

We are grateful for the hospitality and use of percussion instruments and music stands provided by Orchestre d'Harmonie de Schiltigheim, coordinated by CWA founding member, Peter Feltham who has lived in Strasbourg since 1987. Thanks also to CWA parents and friends who assisted with concert, meal and supervision duties on the tour. Finally, CWA would like to thank Barnes Coaches for the superb travel arrangements, Ciarus Youth Hostel (Strasbourg) and our sponsors who continue to support CWA activities.

Corsham Windband Association Sponsors 2022 – 2023

• Corsham Town Council
• The Late Lord Methuen Fund
• Corsham Fun Run
• No 3 The Deli – Corsham
• Toby Haynes Family Butchers - Corsham
• Grounded – Corsham
• Jaine Whitfield - Corsham

Pictures

Picture 1:

Performance at Reichstatt (Strasbourg), hosted by the town Mayor. Reichstett, Tuesday 14 February, the Corsham Windband Association and the Orchestre d'Harmonie de Schiltigheim performed a joint concert to an audience of 300.

Local press reported: ‘’ As part of the "Reichstett mon amour" Festival, the town council organised a great Valentine's Day concert on Tuesday in the village hall with two very talented wind bands. The large and mostly young audience was delighted’’

Picture 2:

CWA performed our solo concert within the Strasbourg Mon Amor Festival event Wednesday 15 February at Saint Pierre le Vieux Church in the heart of Strasbourg to an audience of over 350.  Our repertoire included ‘Beatles Love Songs’, West Side Story’, ‘Frozen’, ‘You Raise Me Up’, and ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

Picture 3:

CWA performed at the Turkish, Syrian solidarity event held in the centre of the Council of Europe, marking the Council of Europe’s support for the people of Turkey and Syria following the devasting earthquakes The event began with speeches by the Turkish Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, Ms Nurdan BAYRAKTAR GOLDER, and the Deputy Permanent Representative Ms Esra DOGAN GRAJOVER, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Iceland: Mr Thorvardur THORSSON, the President of the COE Amicale - Denis HUBER, with brief messages from our host Peter Feltham (originally from Corsham), CWA Founder Sonia Blandford and 12 year old CWA member Eva Chebly (delivered in Arabic).  The dignitaries were joined by delegates from Turkey and Council of Europe staff (c.200) to listen to CWA perform ‘Uprising,’ Frozen,’ ‘You Raise Me Up’, and ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ and ‘Wellerman’. Permanent Representative of Iceland: Mr Thorvardur THORSSON described the event as ‘amazing.’