The WVU Wind Symphony members outside the Château de Chausse, a winery in La Croix-Valmer, France.
The WVU Wind Symphony recently traveled to France to perform at the Festival des Anches d’Azur thanks to the generous support of donors.
During WVU’s Day of Giving, donors contributed $25,000 to the Classical Music Touring Fund, unlocking an additional $25,000 from three anonymous donors, which funded the Wind Symphony’s travel to La Croix-Valmer in France.
The Festival des Anches d’Azur included three nights of free concerts at the Forum Constantin—formerly the gardens of the Villa Turquoise—as well as at a nearby market and on the D-Day beach. Other groups performing were the Koninklijke Biltse Harmonie from the Netherlands and the Prague Conservatoire Symphonic Orchestra. Since 1996, more than 55 international orchestras and bands have performed in this annual festival that La Croix-Valmer calls “a musical reference in the Bay of Saint-Tropez and beyond.”
Greta Hulterstrum, a flutist who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance, couldn’t think of a better way to end her time at WVU. She’s been abroad twice before, including a trip to Ireland, but this was her first time traveling overseas to perform.
“Our concert went very well, and the audience loved it,” Hulterstrum said. “It was so cool to connect with the French community through music.”
The WVU Wind Symphony performs at the Forum Constantin for the Festival des Anches d’Azur. Vocalist: Samara Chamberlain.
The WVU Wind Symphony members packed a variety of activities into their short stay, including a boat cruise of the Mediterranean Sea, which was a highlight for Hulterstrum.
Her favorite part, however, was the connection she and several other flutists made with members of the Koninklijke Biltse Harmonie.
“On our first evening there, four of us in the flute section ended up sitting with some of the Dutch and learning more about them,” she said. “It was fun to connect with this community band that had a variety of ages and backgrounds in their group. After our concert, we celebrated with them—talking, singing and dancing. They taught us one of their nation’s traditional songs, and we sang ‘Country Roads’ with them. They were some of the kindest and most fun people I've met, and it felt special that we became close in only a few days.”
The WVU flute players connected so well with the Koninklijke Biltse Harmonie’s first flutist that they gave her a West Virginia hat as a parting gift.
Greta Hulterstrum (third from left) and the WVU Wind Symphony flute section backstage at the Forum Constantin before the concert.
“I know I will remember this experience forever, and I'm so grateful we got the opportunity to perform and explore a country most of us had never been to before,” said Hulterstrum.
“This trip would not be possible for our group if it wasn't for the generous donor support we received,” she continued. “It means so much to me to know there are people who care about giving students the chance to travel and will donate so everyone has an equal opportunity to go. Coming from a small town in Minnesota, I've made it my goal at WVU to take every opportunity to experience something new, because I think traveling is often how we learn the most.”
Learn more about the WVU Wind Symphony and the School of Music at music.wvu.edu and follow @wvuschoolofmusic on social media.