Tour Of Lifetime: Dunedin Ensemble, Symphonic Winds' Perform In Europe

DUNEDIN, FL — It was a trip of a lifetime. An ensemble of the Dunedin Music Society returned from a 10-day tour to what's considered the birthplace of classical music, Austria and Germany.

In between performing in Austria and Bavaria, members did some sightseeing and even hooked up with fellow concert band performers from around the world.

The recently formed Florida Symphonic Winds, founded in 2020, met for three workshops and several rehearsals before embarking on the week-long tour.

Prior to embarking on its European debut, on July 16 the ensemble of 41 musicians and their conductor for the trip, Jeffrey Traster, showcased their program at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Clearwater.

“Everyone arrived (in Europe) on time, and we loaded a beautiful motor coach headed for Mondsee, Austria," said percussionist Stephanie Lafleur. "The ride from Munich was rather long since it was a Friday afternoon, and the locals were heading out for the weekend or summer holiday. The view from the bus, however, did not disappoint. The countryside was dotted with villages and lush fields. As we got closer to Mondsee, the mountain line got more dramatic from our large bus windows. Finally, we arrived at Schloss Hotel in Mondsee, an adorable boutique hotel set in an idyllic Austrian village.”

The Florida Symphonic Winds 2022 European Tour skimmed the edge of the Austrian Alps, playing its first concert at Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg.

The concert consisted of 12 pieces of American and European contemporary and classical music.

“As we played, some audience members were obviously deeply affected, and there were some shared tears among the audience and band members," said Todd Emmer.

One of the highlights of their sightseeing visit to Salzburg was a tour of Mozart’s birthplace.

On the fourth travel day, the ensemble departed from Mondsee to Melk and Mank, still in Austria.

Highlights in those towns included Melk Abbey, founded in 1069, and the Schafer Brass Factory where horns are made from sheets of metal.

“Off to an early start in Vienna, the FSW toured the Art History Museum," said trumpet player John Herring. "This was followed by free time to explore other cultural activities, such as the ongoing film festival. The FSW prepared for another outdoor concert at 6 p.m. in Vienna at the Maria Theresien Platz on the other side of the Art History Museum.”

On July 28, the intrepid group hit the road for Wurzburg, Germany.

“We stopped along the way for breaks and lunch," said Lafleur. "In the late afternoon, we arrived in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. This medieval town is located on the 'Romantic Road' and is full of kitschy shops, sidewalk cafes and great photo opportunities. We quickly set up our concert in the town square, adjacent to the church and in front of many spectators. Our music was well received, and it was amazing to look out into the crowd with the small German village as the backdrop.”

One of the audience members in the crowd at Rothenburg, Jan Senkyr of Dunedin, spotted the band and posted on social media: “We saw you guys. It was an amazing performance. We went all the way to Germany to stumble upon your performance and find that we have great talent from our own back yard in Dunedin.”

Amid sightseeing days filled with museums, marketplaces and medieval churches, the Florida Symphonic Winds concluded their tour playing together with the Moderner Spielmanns- und Fanfarenzug Retzbach-Zellingen band, and enjoying community friends, a macaroon festival and other summer traditions in Retzbach.

Finally, at the end of the concert tour, musicians had the opportunity either to come back to Florida or to extend their stay for a visit to Prague, Czech Republic.

The ensemble said the tour was made all the more pleasant with the guidance of DMS tour coordinator Lee Lafleur and Maury Schulte of Tour Resource Consultants, as well as their new friend in Retzbach, Sabine Binzberger.

Contributors: Todd Emmer, John Herring, Stephanie Lafleur, Jan Senkyr. Edited by Melissa Marolla Brown.