University of Notre Dame Band

Austria-Czech Republic 2006

Band in Kremsmunster Abbey The Notre Dame Concert Band went on a wonderful concert tour of Austria and the Czech Republic in May 2006. The tour included stops in three countries, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Austria and the Czech Republic were chosen because of their historical musical significance in addition to the Mozart 250 Celebration (a celebration of the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth) that was taking place in Salzburg and Vienna.

The trip began in the beautiful city of Munich, Germany, the capital of Bavaria and home of BMW Automobiles. The Band toured the famous Glockenspiel and then proceeded on through the Alps to the city of Innsbruck, Austria.

While in Innsbruck, home of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games, many of the students took the opportunity to go down the Olympic Bobsled course in a roller sled. A truly amazing and unique experience. The Band then toured the city and many of the sights built by the Emperor Maximilian. The Band also presented its first concert in Innsbruck at the University Church.

The Band then proceeded on to the city of Salzburg, Austria, birthplace of Mozart and home to many famous composers. While in Salzburg Band members enjoyed touring the home Mozart was born in, walking through the old city of Salzburg, touring the beautiful cathedral in Salzburg, and the Band even went on a tour of a salt mine. The Band presented a concert in the Mozarteum, a gorgeous venue located in the center of Salzburg.

Statue of Mozart in Vienna The Band then continued on to the small town of Kremsmunster, Austria. This little village is the home of a large Benedictine Abbey and a wonderful museum of historic brass instruments. Students toured the Brass Instrument museum, and then performed a concert in the beautiful church inside the Abbey (pictured above). The Band had a tremendous audience and everyone enjoyed the charm of this small Austrian town.

After departing Kremsmunster the Band continued into the Czech Republic. After a brief stop in the midieval castle city of Csesky Krumlov, the Band arrived in Prague. The Band stayed in a beautiful hotel in the heart of Wenceslas Square and toured all of the historical sites in and around Prague. The Band then performed a concert to a full audience at the Obecni Dum, a huge concert venue in the center of Prague. The students then had a day to explore Prague on their own before the Band traveled back into Austria to Vienna.

Vienna was a wonderful final stop to this tour. The Band toured many of the unique architectural and cultural sites that are located throughout Vienna. Students visited the graves of famous composers including Johann Strauss, Johannes Brahms, and the Mozart memorial, toured the House of Music Museum and concluded the trip with the final concert in the Votiv Kirche in Vienna. The Band's return to the U.S. on Austrian Airlines provided a satisfying finale to a historic European tour.