The Royal Military Band Johan Willem Friso from Assen will play at the Memorial Concert in Wageningen tonight. During the concert, the 53 musicians of the military wind orchestra will accompany the story of Natascha van Weezel. She tells about how her Jewish grandparents survived the Second World War with courage, bluff and perseverance.
“The nerves are starting to come a bit,” admits conductor Tijmen Botma of the Military Band. “Although we are used to giving these kinds of concerts, this gives an extra charge”, he refers to the importance of May 4 and 5. “The peculiarity lies in what happened between ’40 and ’45. That period should never be forgotten; every day we still reap the benefits of the liberation.”
The military music group will perform Van Weezel’s story at the mainstage of the Liberation Festival site in Wageningen. This is done under the guidance of, among others, a singing Dennis Kroon, sergeant major of the Airmobile Brigade. “He has brought beautiful songs that we will edit,” promises Botma.
The title of the concert accompanying the JWF Chapel is Empathy as the key to freedom. That name resonates with Van Wezel’s story about her grandparents. Because they were helped selflessly, they managed to experience the war completely.
The stage builders and instruments for the concert have already left Wageningen. The musicians follow. “We’ll do one later this afternoon sound check and walk through. The concert is at nine o’clock,” concludes Botma.