St Omer Wind Orchestra Concert - Baltimore Basilica
Fri Apr 12, 7:00 PM - Fri Apr 12, 7:00 PM

Saint-Omer Wind Orchestra, from Northern France, will be giving a concert at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore on April, 12 2019 as part of its US tour. The 72 musicians will play an original and varied repertoire to commemorate the long historical ties through the jesuits and honour the relationship with the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Saint-Omer County.
 
About the Orchestra
The Orchestre d'Harmonie de Saint-Omer, from Northern France, is now composed of about seventy members, both amateur and professional musicians, mostly coming from the local music academy. As the "Town band", it takes an important part in the local cultural life by playing in formal ceremonies or in more festive events and by offering concerts.
The Orchestra is also constantly engaged in a reflection to renew its repertoire. It has participated in many creations, worked in connection with “current musical styles”, accompanied famous soloists and took part in many music contests.
Among its numerous accomplishments, the Orchestra was rewarded the first prize of the jury and of the audience at the Wind Music Composition competition "Coups de Vents" (2015, 2018), and won the Gold Medal of the International Competition of orchestras in Kerkrade (Netherlands) "Harmony 1" section (2017). Internationally, it performed in several countries and was invited to play at the Chiayi Music Festival and four other concerts in Taiwan (2016).
 
Saint-Omer & the US, a long story
In the 17th and 18th century, American Catholic families used to send their children to France and particularly to Saint-Omer so that they could study in the College of the Jesuits whose teaching methods were renowned. Among those we could identity Charles, Daniel and John Carroll who later became prominent figures of the American nation.
Since then, the ties have remained through concrete actions such as educational exchanges between High Schools, internship exchanges and cultural cooperation. Saint Omer Foundation for Transatlantic Values was founded in 2017 with the purpose to highl