Music students from Oldham Music Centre have completed a successful tour of southern Belgium and represented Oldham well, according to locals and staff.
At least 75 of Oldham’s ‘best and brightest' musical students toured Belgium in July to show off their musical talent.
The concerts were staged between 20 and 26 July at three venues and were comprised of a brass band, a wind band and an orchestra.
The bands all came together to perform at prestigious Belgian venues, the Wavre Town Hall for the Belgian National Fete, the Collegiale Cathedral at Nivelle and the Church of St Remacle in Verviers.
All three of the concerts were a success as the bands were met by standing ovations, encores and enthusiastic audiences who were amazed by the level of skill and performances showcased by the young students.
The youngsters managed to take a break while on their tour, visiting chocolatiers in Brussels, the Brussels Musical Instruments Museum and taking day trips to the Caves at Han-sur-Lees, the citadel at Dinant and the Phantasialand for its rollercoaster rides.
Staff from the Oldham Music Centre accompanied the students while on the trip and praised their behaviour and attitude, saying that they were a great credit to Oldham.
Meanwhile, residents in Belgium were also pleased with the professional quality of the students.
One local said: “It’s wonderful that young people from the UK would come to Belgium to perform in our church.
"This is our first event since the Covid-19 pandemic and what a way to start again.
“Bravo Oldham Music Centre, you’ve shone such a positive light on your town.”
Jonathan Leedale, deputy head of Oldham Council Music Service said: “I was thrilled to see young people from Oldham being able to travel abroad and make us proud.
"Their performances show off the amount of skilled musicians we have coming out of Oldham Music Centre.
“This tour had been postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic so it was brilliant to see our students out in the world enjoying themselves and having these experiences.
“A big thank you from me to the students and of course the Music Centre staff who helped make this trip possible.”
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