------------------------------
The main objective of this trip was to compete and perform in the 32nd Bydgoszcz Musical Impressions.
The competition was held on the mornings of 1 and 2 July 09, at the Music Academy. Frankly speaking, it was quite tiring, having to wake up early, get dressed and be ready at the venue before 9am.
There were a total of 10 groups participating in the competition, and we were the first to perform, and the biggest group of all. :) To be honest, the repertoire we presented was something different to the ears of the audience and the judges, which I believe is one major factor that contributed to our achievement.
The competition was tough. The other groups also displayed great showmanship of talents in their performances. The diversity of the performances was also pretty fascinating, some of them were so amazing, that just left me in awe.
I like the flute band, Brevis, from Belarus. I've never seen so many recorders that come in different pitches and sizes. The boys were versatile, they could just exchange their recorders with one another for different pieces. Oh, don't remind me of the saliva. Haha..
But seriously, I've never heard music so beautifully played on the recorders. Very soothing to the ears. :)
A couple of groups performed on the accordions. But this group, the Victoria Trio, also from Belarus, was of high standards. The accordion is quite a complicated instrument, I don't understand how all the little buttons work. And their fingers seemed to glide all over the accordions. Haha..
The competition also featured some interesting sights as well. Like this violin-trumpet (or is it a trumpet-violin?). A combination of the contrasting brass and string instruments. :)
There was also a rock band participating in the competition. The music was good, no doubt. The tune of the Polish song is still in my head. But somehow, the setting was so wrong. A rock band in the hall of the Music Academy. So out of place.
We had our own concert on 2 July 09, also in the Music Academy. I think we enjoyed our own performance and had fun. Afterall, the competition was over, and the audience was enthusiastic. We even received a standing ovation. :)
It was quite scary for me though, because I had to be the emcee, and I never liked being the centre of attention on stage. Poor Artur had to be our interpreter, but I must say that he did a great job. Not easy for a 15 year-old kid to be standing in front of the audience and translate whatever that was on my script. :)
The gala concert held on the last night was a splendid performance put up by all the participants of the festival. Almost 800 Bydgoszcz people came to watch the concert held at the Opera Nova. It was really a showcase of the diversity of the cultures. (Video can be viewed here.)
I didn't get to watch the first half of the concert. All of us were at the backstage, waiting for our turn to be up on stage. The kids had fun though, interacting with the Latvian group and even learned their Latvian dance. (Video can be viewed here.)
I was at the audience seat during the second half of the concert. Some of the performances were familiar, because I had watched them during the competition period. Nevertheless, it was still enjoyable to hear some of my favourite pieces.
Towards the end of the concert, things started to get exciting, because it was the prize-giving ceremony! It was quite scary, to see hundreds of participants gathered on stage, but it was grand as well, because everybody was dressed in their bright and colourful costumes.
As they announced the various prizes and the respective receipients, anxiety started to show on everybody's face. The voice of the interpreter was muffled by the cheers from the audience and participants, and that sent us guessing what prizes were already awarded and what were left.
One by one, names were called out, but not NUSCO's. The chairlady of the European Krzysztof Penderecki Music Centre then made a long speech (which of course was in Polish), it just left things hanging.
Then, 'NUS (she pronounced it as 'noose')... Chinese Orchestra'. Loud cheers filled the entire hall. We won. The Grand Prix – The prize of the Minister of Education and of the European Krzysztof Penderecki Music Centre. :)
I wasn't on stage to feel the high spirits of the orchestra, but witnessing the winning moments from the audience seat was equally satisfying.
A milestone for NUSCO. :) A happy ending for NUSCO in this festival, which also meant an ending to our stay in Bydgoszcz. This festival has added vibrancy and colours to the city, but I think it holds even stronger meaning to all participants, no matter how the results turned out to be. The interaction, the fun, the showcasing of one's own talents and cultures, would be something memorable, and perhaps unforgettable.
No comments:
Post a Comment