In the closet of the Harmony of Solre-le-Château, certificates, thanks, and boxes of scores accumulate. Sixth junior music festival of Dourlers, April 16 and 17, 2005, Rocquignies Music Festival from May 1 to 4, 2003, Coursole Music Festival on September 23 and 24, 2000. Beyond proving that the harmony of the municipality willingly travels to its neighbors, these thanks especially reflect the age of the association. It is at least 26 years old, not yet thirty years old for the harmony of Solre-le-Château? We are far from the mark, there isn’t even an adjective to describe this age group, where one would speak of a “supercentenarian.”
The harmony born in 1862
Below, a vinyl catches the eye: “Municipal Fanfare of Solre-le-Château, founded in 1862.” And 164 years later, this association is still alive and has even evolved into a municipal music school. Its director, Fabien Goubet, reveals: “it’s our heritage, it’s important to take care of it,” all while making sure the hanging jacket is not damaged when the doors open. “It’s one of the traditional garments of the harmony, today if we forced the children to wear it, they would rebel,” jokes the music teacher.
On a shelf, a velvet flag rests. Although it appears weathered, the inscriptions are still visible: “July 1, 1875” on one side and “Society of Fanfare of Solre-le-Château” on the other. Unfortunately, at the time, our newspaper was focused on politics, and nothing in our archives can confirm the event of this date. “We thought it was the creation date of the harmony, but the vinyl proves otherwise. So, we don’t know what that date corresponds to for the harmony.”
While the history of the harmony holds its share of mystery, it seems to connect many Solrécéziens. Recently, a photo of the vinyl was shared on social media. On the front, a group photo, and on the back, four portraits: Armand Lety, Eloi Berlemont, André Barbet, and Gervais Perus. In the comments, reactions are numerous: “it’s a collector’s item, I was 11 or 12 years old when the record was made. I am in the cover photo with my paternal grandfather’s trombone and I was lucky to be part of the musicians on the record.”
Concert this Saturday
This brief journey into the past does not stop us from returning to the present. This Saturday, April 25, the municipal harmony will hold its traditional spring concert in the Gilbert Kors hall. Admission is free, and the repertoire will be very diverse: Highlights from La La Land by Justin Huwitz, One more light by Linkin Park, Cantina Band by John Williams…
