DIDSBURY - A well-known Dutch band is touring Western Canada and will be making a stop in Didsbury. Winkler Prins Harmonie is the orchestra of Winkler Prins College, a fine arts school in Veendam, Netherlands.
The band will be visiting Didsbury in May and performing with the Didsbury High School (DHS) band on May 4 at its spring concert.
Kirk Wassmer, DHS band teacher, said it's a privilege to be able to once again host Winkler Prins Harmonie.
"It's their 40th anniversary of a group so they're doing a tour of Western Canada," Wassner told the Gazette. "They're starting in Vancouver and then playing in Maple Ridge, Kamloops, Kelowna, Canmore and then their final stop is here in Didsbury."
The band arrives Tuesday, May 2 and will be playing the concert on May 4 at the DHS gym at 7 p.m.
"It's mostly to feature them," he said. "Our Grade 9 concert band and our symphonic winds will each be playing a couple of pieces, but it's mostly to feature the group from the Netherlands."
Wassmer added that since May 4 is Star Wars Day (May the fourth [force] be with you) the bands will be playing several Star Wars selections.
"To close the concert our symphonic winds will be playing two numbers with the band from the Netherlands," he said. "So it should be about a 150-piece band. It should be quite a sound. Admission is by donation."
Wassmer said they are still looking for anyone interested in billeting the Winkler Prins band members. For more information contact Wassmer at DHS at 403-335-3356.
The Dutch band consists of about 45 former pupils, teachers and ex-staff members of the school who range in age from 12 right up to 68. They have been involved in several exchanges with other orchestras in Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic.
The DHS band hosted a band from Germany in March but they did not perform together, said Wassmer.
"We've had this group here before and they stayed with us," he said. "The feedback we get is that these groups really enjoy the rural Alberta experience. It's nice to hear. It was a very positive experience for our students and parents in Didsbury. It's been a lot of fun for us."
"It's their 40th anniversary of a group so they're doing a tour of Western Canada."Kirk Wassner
