WindBrass Tour 2017

In July 2017, UWWO went on tour to Vienna for a week with the University of Warwick Brass Society. Whilst there, we performed two joint concerts, as well as exploring the city and some of the surrounding areas!

Our first concert, which took place on Sunday 2nd July, was an open air performance in the courtyard of the Schönbrunn Palace. First built in 1548, this stunning Baroque palace was then added to by laters owners, including the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph. Today, it’s a popular tourist destination, so we attracted quite a large crowd of interested tourists!

On Tuesday 4th July we performed in the beautiful Votivkirche in central Vienna - this neo-Gothic church, built between 1856 and 1879, was one of the most spectacular venues we have ever performed at! We played a range of pieces, including: Philip Sparke's Concert Prelude; Irish Tune by Percy Grainger; Ed Huckeby’s Declaration, Ballade and Finale; Cry of the Celts by Ronan Hardiman; and ABBA Gold! We were conducted by five of our student conductors: Rosie Parnham, Jenny Wheeler, Thomas Hicken, Ella Newton, and Daniel Brennan.

Some of our other activities in Vienna included: going on the Imperial Tour of the Schönbrunn Palace; enjoying the interactive musical exhibits at the Haus der Musik (including a musical staircase); and visiting the famous Prater amusement park. There was also some free time on tour, during which some of our members went on day trips to other cities (Bratislava, Budapest, and Graz) and various attractions in Vienna, including the famous Vienna Tiergarten (Zoo) and a few of the city's many museums!

The tour was supported by the Giving to Warwick Opportunity Fund, which is funded by generous donations from Warwick alumni and friends.