2006 SEASON : ONE OF A KIND!!

Show “Music Moves”:
The 2006 season started with the continuation of rehearsals for the new show, entitled ”Music Movies”. A mix of familiar and not so familiar film themes. During the “Liberation Tattoo” held in May in the Centre of their hometown Vlaardingen, the Band gave the show’s premiere before an enthusiastic audience. The combination of music and a brand-new choreography produced an entertaining show in typical Thalita-style. 

Scotland-trip:
In June, after an eighteen month preparation, the Band made a five day trip to the UK. For the first time in their history the Band visited the Borders region of Scotland. The voyage, the musical performances and last but not least the contacts with the hospitable hosts of the St. Ronan’s Silver Band formed the ingredients of a unique and unforgettable event. During the 3-day stay in Innerleithen the Band started with a successful presentation on Tweed Green in Peebles. On the Sunday the Band took part in the biannual St. Ronan’s Tattoo. With the backdrop of Traquair House, Thalita performed their show “Music Movies” on the wineglass lawn. This provided a great set to present the unique Dutch way of presentation. For the Tattoo the Band joined the local Brass and Pipe Bands to entertain the crowd with individual and massed music. For the Dutch, this gave the opportunity for a unique feeling to play together with such a large number of pipers. St. Ronan’s Band presented a welcome barbecue and organised an original Ceilidh (Scottish Dance) which helped to form warm contacts between the two bands. The Scottish dancing appeared to be a bit tricky for the Dutch wearing their clogs! The trip ended with a concert given at the world famous Edinburgh Castle. The musicians really looked forward visiting and playing at this location, which forms the background of the well known Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Band presented their programme before a surprised crowd of visitors from all over the world. The short visit demands a future comeback.
Back in Vlaardingen the common opinion was: “Unforgettable”.

Netherlands Military Tattoo:
In 2006 the N.M.T., for the first time in its long history, moved to Rotterdam. In September seven Tattoos were planned at the Ahoy Music Centre. The spectacle started with a magnificent street parade right in the Centre of Rotterdam. Including the foreign and Dutch Military Bands, 23 Bands marched off for a great parade, which was met by overwhelming applause from the crowds. The musicians of Thalita experienced a parade that ended too soon. Next Thalita took part in the Tattoos performing a massed band show with the two showbands from Rotterdam, “Euroband” and “Excelsior”. At every performance, a non-professional Showband of 110 musicians presented the spectators with a professional display. Performing the finale with all the participants formed a highlight of the event. Thalita welcomed many compliments for their contribution. Also, the attention of the media enhanced good P.R. for the Band. The DVD “Netherlands Military Tattoo 2006” is distributed all over the world.
(website: www.netherlandsmilitarytattoo.nl) 

Frans Bauer Live in Ahoy':
The performances during the N.M.T. didn’t go unnoticed by the production team of the immensely popular Dutch Folk singer “Frans Bauer”. They were preparing concerts for this singer again in the Ahoy Mucic Centre in Rotterdam. Their interest resulted in a planned participation by Thalita during the 15 sell-out concerts during December. The preparations were cut short, however, following the news that the singer had to cancel the concerts because of severe problems with his voice. The rescheduled concerts are planned to take place in April 2007.
This will guarantee the Band an exciting start to 2007, after some months of looking back to the very successful year 2006.

Ger de Lange.