Maastricht 2008 by Simone From Germany

What a Weekend, What a Concert, What fun!!!

I arrived Saturday around noon in Maastricht and first went to the
"Stadtpark" for the fan picnic. There were already many fans from all over the world. It was fantastic to meet so many well known faces again and to get know so many new people in person. We laughed, ate, drank and of course I took a lot of pictures. THANKS you are all great. And next year we'll see each other all again.

After a few hours talk I went to the sound check. I was surprised how relaxed the mood is in Maastricht. You would think fans and the JSO are one big family. All, the members from the orchestra, the platin tenors, the "singing girls", were so friendly and made pictures together with you and everybody spoke to you. Now I really know that the atmosphere in Maastricht is very special. Of course there was the big Maestro there too. He looked great in the black suit and the sunglasses. The sound check was funny. For me it was the first time I had seen it. I knew André on his bicycle until then only from the T.V.

The concert is hard to say in words. For me one of the best I ever saw. And I saw many. The audience was at the beginning a little reserved. But we had luck with the weather and didn't need the raincoats. They came to the song "76 Trombones". For me the best song for the beginning. I was very happy that they played so many of my favourite songs. ("Clavelitos", "Irish Washerwoman" – together with the children string orchestra, "Chinatisong", "OLE GUAPA" – THANK YOU!!! With this song my love for André and the music started, "Ave Maria" – wonderful from Mirusia, "Amigos Para Siempre" – everytime wonderful, "Funiculi Funicula", "Waltzing Matilda" – reminds me always about my trip to Australia.)

The first highlight was the string orchestra from the music school in Maastricht. Which consists of about 100 children. They played the "Irish Washerwoman". After the break came my absolute goosebump feeling. The Maastricht Staar (a mens choir which consist of over 150 men) came with burning torches to the song "Conquest of Paradise". It seems that nobody breathed. Such a silence. I was fascinated too with the 13 years old Melissa. Sensational how she plays the trumpet at this age. Than came Mirusia as "Outback girl" on the stage. She looked so cute. First she sang "Waltzing Matilda" and than another Australian song which I didn't know before. It's called "Tie me kangaroo down, sport". In the refrain the chorus, Mirusia and of course André did kangaroo jumps. I was so enthusiastic that I did the same the second time. I was nearly the only. No matter.

Then came the waltz of the waltzes. "The blue Danube". I was a little sad that my Dad was not with me. Because normally I dance with him always to this song. But I had Detlef. Thanks. Than it was nearly over.The encores were fantastic as ever. I swayed from side to side, sang, laughed, danced, clapped my hands, nearly everything …

After the concert I went of course to the "alten Vogelstrauß". There everybody meets after the concert. Fans, members from the orchestra, EVERYBODY!!! And I found my new favourite drink there. "Bessin Genever". Fantastic! It was as always very late or better early when I went home. But I'm not in Maastricht to sleep.

It was a fantastic weekend and I'm really looking forward to next year.
THEN IT CONTINUES!!! But first I'm looking forward to when it comes in the middle of August on the German T.V. and of course towards the DVD.

Here is the link to Simone's Photoshow if you haven't already seen it.

There is also a short video of the "Lone Kangaroo" that Al Girard took. It's Simone doing the Kangaroo Hop all alone in the center! I laughed SO hard when I saw this ~ Thanks Al and Simone too! :))

♦♦Simone Doing The Kangaroo Hop

♦The Weekend in Maastricht With Simone