I'm hoping to set up an exchange between a British Brass Band and the Amiens Brass Band here in Picardy with a view to a joint concert in Britain in 2006 and no doubt a return concert in Amiens beforehand or afterwards.
It's a great band, just back from a concert tour in China. They've also done a series of concerts of Australia.
They played for the inauguration of the new "Rose of Picardy" produced by a renowned British rose grower for the Picardy music federation this year - christened by the Duchess of Gloucester. You can guess what they played...
I had them come to play a concert near where I live in Picardy - the village of Ors where Wilfred Owen was killed on November 4th 1918 in the battle of the Sambre. Wilfred Owen's nephew was there and the public were most enthusiastic.
I'd be glad to hear from anyone seeing this letter who might have ideas on a band that might be happy to take up the challenge.
Look forward to hearing from you
Keith Braithwaite
The band web site is at http://www.oca-brassband.fr.st/