by Blaine Howerton | New SCENE
Music lovers in Northern Colorado will have a rare opportunity to dive into the rich history of French wind orchestras when renowned trumpet player André Bonnici visits Fort Collins on Saturday, March 8. The event, hosted by the Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, will take place from 1:30–3:00 PM at the Center for Creativity (200 Mathews Street).
Bonnici, a board member of the International Trumpet Guild and a distinguished trumpet instructor at France’s Conservatoire à Rayonnement Départemental de Montluçon, will present a captivating exploration of wind orchestras in France since the Revolution. His talk will highlight how France’s music education system, military bands, and advancements in instrument craftsmanship helped shape wind orchestras in villages and cities across the country.
“After laying the foundations for a conservatory in Paris—particularly to train musicians for military bands—French governments worked to democratize music learning,” said Bonnici. “This led to the formation of wind orchestras that brought music into everyday life, from official ceremonies to public celebrations.”
Bonnici is a founding member of Les Trompettes de Lyon and serves as President and Head of Jury for the soloist category at the International Trumpet Guild competition. His expertise spans performance, music education, and musicology, with a master’s degree from Lumière Lyon II University.
His visit is made possible in part by the Ann Gill Visiting Lecturer and Artist Award from Colorado State University’s College of Liberal Arts, which brings accomplished professionals to engage with the university and local community.
Event Details & Ticket Information
- Date: Saturday, March 8
- Time: 1:30–3:00 PM
- Location: Center for Creativity, 200 Mathews Street, Fort Collins
- Tickets: $15 for museum members, $20 for non-members
- Reservations required: globalvillagemuseum.org
The Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, located at 200 West Mountain Avenue, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM. For more information, call 970-221-4600 or visit globalvillagemuseum.org.
This event is expected to sell out, so reserve your seat early for a deep dive into the world of French wind orchestras!