After going on our "pilgrimage" to the center of Burghausen (Austria), the town with a Medieval character along the Salzach River, and to Oberndorf with its Silent Night Chapel, the orchestra nestled into the Gasthof Grunauer Hof Hotel in Wals, Austria, for two evenings of "rest." Fortunately for the residents of Wals, the Kingwood Pops Orchestra (KPO)was ready to play its tunes two days running. On the 16th, an enthusiastic evening audience at the Heimathaus enjoyed a taste of Texas KPO style. Beginning with music from Star Wars, continuing with fabulous song stylings by Deborah and Larry Wedekind, and ending big with several blockbusters from the Swing Era, the Kingwood Pops Orchestra ended its first performance with shouts for "Mehr Bitte (More, Please)" from the delighted audience (Okay, I had to check with Maestro Liebst for the German translation of the term. . . . ). Several male members of the KPO were invited to participate in a traditional Austrian dance by the members of a delightful local dance troupe. The evening's events were capped by the presentation of a bag of Mozart chocolates to Herr Liebst by the concert organizer, which he shared with all of the members of the orchestra and "groupies"---YUM!
The next afternoon in Wals, the community was again eager to hear what the Pops had to offer--this time at Zentrum Walser Birnbaum--and, again, did not leave the orchestra without a request for "Mehr Bitte." Eyes brightened; bodies swayed; toes tapped; and the Pops received a standing ovation! No chocolate was given, but the warm smiles and hearty waves from the ladies who saw us off made everyone feel appreciated and left us with no doubts that the program was enjoyed.
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