Luxembourg youth orchestra to perform

They’re thousands of miles from home in a different culture and country, but as Paul Scholer put it, “music has no borders.”

Scholer, director of the Union Grand-Duc Adolphe Music School in Luxembourg, is accompanying 66 musicians touring Canada and the United States.

The National Youth Wind Orchestra of Luxembourg will play the final concert of its two-week trip at noon Monday at the Belgium Village Square.

The orchestra consists of skilled musicians ages 14 to 17 that takes annual trips with recent destinations being Germany, Spain and France.

The orchestra has been to the U.S. twice before, in 2015 and 1976. Seven children on this year’s trip were on the last one.

The musicians are staying with host families in Michigan and then Wisconsin to soak up American culture. They are performing concerts in Winnipeg, North Dakota, Michigan and Wisconsin.

“In Europe, we don’t know this American way of living. It’s something special, especially for the youngsters,” Scholer said. “It’s important to have these international contacts.”

The orchestra has only had several rehearsals, but Scholer said this is a talented group of musicians.

Their concert program includes songs from composers from around the world, including Luxembourg and the U.S.

Handling the English language, Scholer said, is somewhat new, but Luxembourgers speak three or four languages. Learning German, French and English are priorities.

Luxembourg has a special relationship with America and especially the Village of Belgium, since many residents have lineages from the country.

“We remember the Luxembourg immigration to the United States,” Scholer said. “It’s important we remember the U.S. Army liberated Luxembourg in 1944.”

Scholer said the outdoor venue in Belgium won’t allow for a full program of songs, but he promises an “entertaining” show.

The concert kicks off a week of festivities for this year’s Luxembourg Fest.

The schedule is as follows:

• On Friday, Aug. 9, a cultural conference will be held at Country Inn & Suites in Port Washington. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. with the conference starting at 9 a.m.

Presenters from Luxembourg will address art, culture and music from 19th century Luxembourg.

The conference is scheduled to end around 3:45 p.m.

The cost is $65 for Luxembourg American Cultural Society members and $75 for non-members. A continental breakfast and lunch are included.

Register by contacting the Luxembourg American Cultural Center at (262) 476-5086.

• On Saturday, Aug. 10, a host of events will pack Community Park in Belgium.

At 9 a.m., a car show will be held.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. and travels west on Main Street from Highway LL to the fest grounds.

Also at 10 a.m., an arts and crafts fair and the Vern Arendt Photo Collection Exhibit will open, and helicopter rides will be available.

For children, a craft tent, magic castle, Princess Castle Bounce houses and an inflatable rock wall will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At 11 a.m., Awesome Animals with Ian will be presented.

At 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m,, the Jason Kollum Variety Juggling Comedy Show will be held.

At noon, the famous treipen-eating contest will be held. Registration forms are available online at www.lacs.lu/events/luxembourg-fest/treipen-eating-contest.

Live music will be played throughout the day. From 1 to 4 p.m., the Greg Lamy Trio from Luxembourg will perform.

From 5 to 7:30 p.m., Detour will play.

From 8 to 11 p.m., the Love Monkeys will perform. The cover charge is $5.

Also on Saturday at the Barn at the Bog in Saukville, the Green Heart Gala will be held.

At 5:30 p.m., raffles and the European game of tombola will be held.

A plated dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., followed by a live auction at 8:15 p.m.

Gala tickets are $85 per person. To register or for more information, call the Luxembourg American Cultural Society at (262) 476-5086 or email kegettel@lacs.lu.

• On Sunday, Aug. 11, a Mass and pageantry with the Goodtime Dutchmen will be held at Community Park in Belgium. Live music runs from noon to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit www.lacs.lu and click on the events tab.