Recent Wychavon winners Friary Guildford are certainly full of Zufriedenheit after a very successful trip to Germany.

Based in the Baden-Würtemmberg region (near the Black Forest), the band gave concerts in Freiburg and Waldbronn to very welcoming and receptive audiences.

Long journey

After a Wednesday evening rehearsal and pre-tour curry, band members set off on their 550 mile journey in high spirits. A 4am ferry crossing from Dover to Calais, stops for refreshments, and a devilish quiz helped to make the journey pass swiftly.

Strengthening ties
On Friday the band spent a day in the Guildford twin town of Freiburg, before being treated to a short traditional programme from the Freiburger Rathausmusik Band, before giving a concert themselves at the Bürgerhaus Zähringen.

A varied programme directed by Chris King, led to rapturous applause and standing ovation from an appreciative audience that included members of the Freiburg-Guildford Association and the Freiburg Anglo-German club.

Over the weekend the band were delighted to participate in the Waldbronn Kurparkfest, a two day music festival that attracts several thousand visitors every year4BR

Fun at the fest

Over the weekend the band were delighted to participate in the Waldbronn Kurparkfest, a two day music festival that attracts several thousand visitors every year.

The band gave two concerts, one on Saturday evening and another on Sunday lunchtime, and, despite some gloomy weather on Saturday they managed to attract quite a crowd.

Tiling

The festival itself featured many different musical groups an on the second day, the mayor of Waldbronn presented the band with a 300-year old tile from the roof of the oldest house in Waldbronn — after the showers on Saturday the band very much hoped that this didn't leave somebody with a hole in the roof!