Banda de Bessines Celebrates Saint Cecilia with Music and Festive Gathering
The Saint-Léger church in Bessines-sur-Gartempe echoed with the vibrant sounds of the Banda de Bessines as they honored Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians, last Saturday. Her feast day serves as a cherished occasion for this dedicated musical group to share their passion for music with their community.
A Reverent Performance Dedicated to Saint Cecilia
A large audience gathered for the special mass dedicated to Saint Cecilia, presided over by Father Bernard Vigneras. The 55 members of the Banda de Bessines treated the attendees to a captivating performance of four carefully selected works. Under the skilled direction of Romain Hérault, the program showcased their eclectic repertoire, ranging from the Spanish flair of “Suspiros de España” (1902), composed by Antonio Alvarez Alonso, to the devotional beauty of “La Esperanza de Maria,” a processional march dedicated to Our Lady of Seville.
The program also embraced the timeless charm of Scottish folk music with “Loch Lomond” and exuded the lively rhythms of “hispánico“, a concert pasodoble composed in 1974 by Nuno Osório Silva, featuring a stunning trumpet solo by Corentin.
Following the moving religious service, a tradition was upheld as the Banda musicians remained in the church to deliver an additional concert, much to the delight of the engrossed audience. Seven pieces filled the air with melodious sounds, led by Romain Hérault, with Antoine Arhie and Marina Guétant providing their musical expertise.
The last two pieces became a joyous collaboration, with the Banda musicians joined by 20 young talents from the junior orchestra – a testament to their commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians.
The Festive Tradition Continues with a Medieval Banquet
The celebration continued in grand style with the traditional Sainte-Cécile banquet, held in the lively atmosphere of a medieval feast. This year’s theme added a touch of historical whimsy to the festivities, transporting guests to a bygone era.
Banda musicians were joined by their families, friends, and representatives of festival committees, creating a warm and convivial atmosphere. The evening was chaired by Andréa Brouille, mayor of Bessines, and Rémi Négrier, president of the Banda.
A Successful Season Culminated by Festive Performances
This Sainte-Cécile concert marks a near conclusion to an eventful 2024 season for the Banda de Bessines. They have graced stages throughout France with approximately thirty performances, sharing their passion with diverse audiences. This year also saw the culmination of a significant project – the recording of a new CD, now available on all streaming platforms and for sale at Banda performances.
Music lovers can catch the Banda de Bessines for two more performances before the year ends. They will enliven the Bersac Christmas market on Saturday, December 7, and bring their festive spirit to the Razès market on Saturday, December 14.
Banda de Bessines Gears Up for its General Assembly
The Banda de Bessines have scheduled their general assembly for Friday, December 6th at 8:30 p.m. at the village hall in Bessines.
Describe the atmosphere during the Banda de Bessines’ performance
## Banda de Bessines Honors St. Cecilia with Music and Festivities
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show! Today, we’re speaking with [Guest Name], a member of the Banda de Bessines. Welcome!
**Guest:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** Last Saturday, your band celebrated St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music, with a special performance and a celebratory concert. Can you tell us a bit about the event?
**Guest:** Definitely! St. Cecilia’s feast day is always a highlight for us. We started with a beautiful mass at Saint-Léger Church, performed for a large and appreciative audience. Our conductor, Romain Hérault, carefully chose four pieces that reflected our diverse repertoire.
We played everything from the Spanish classic “Suspiros de España” to the soulful “Loch Lomond” and even a lively pasodoble called “hispánico.” [[1](https://www.jds.fr/concerts/messe-en-musique-et-concert-de-la-sainte-cecile-683122_A”)]
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a wonderful mix of music! What was the atmosphere like during the performance?
**Guest:** The atmosphere was truly special. You could feel the audience’s connection to the music, and their enjoyment amplified our performance. The church was filled with a sense of reverence and joy.
**Interviewer:** And after the mass, you continued to play for the community?
**Guest:** Yes, we did! As tradition dictates, we followed the mass with an additional concert in the church. We played seven more pieces, including some favorites that always get the crowd going. It’s a way for us to share our passion for music with the community and celebrate this special day.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It sounds like a truly inspiring event.
**Guest:** Thank you for having me. We’re grateful for the opportunity to honor St. Cecilia and share our music with everyone.