Union Grand-Duc Adolphe
Encyclopedia
The Union Grand-Duc Adolphe is the umbrella organization for music interests in Luxembourg
, representing choral societies, brass bands, music schools, theatrical societies, folklore associations and instrumental groups. Covering some 340 societies, it has over 17,000 individual members.
and a city councilor, and the director Jean-Antoine Zinnen
, the national composer. On 15 June 1984, the first ALM festival was held in Ettelbrück
with a choral rendering of the patriotic poem Ons Hémecht written by Michel Lentz
and set to music by Zinnen. The following year, at a music festival in Vianden
, it was sung to an instrumental accompaniment for the first time.
By the end of the 1880s, the ALM was no longer effective. On 31 March 1891, meeting in Luxembourg city hall, the representatives of 116 music and theatrical organizations revived the federation, renaming it the Adolph-Verband as it officially enjoyed the patronage of Grand Duke Adolphe
. Léon Metz, mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette
was its first president, Philippe Manternach was the music director and Laurent Menager
the choral director. In 1919, the name of the organization became Union Adolphe which, in 1947, was finally modified to Union Grand-Duc Adolphe (UGDA), then representing 174 music societies. The UGDA set up a permanent office on the Place d'Armes
in 1956 and, in 1969, moved into a new seat in the renovated Van der Vekene House in the Grund
. Since 1986, when it came under the patronage of Grand Duke Jean
and Grand Duchess Charlotte
, the UGDA has created its own music schools and has generally promoted interest in music by organizing concerts and workshops.
By 1993, the UGDA Music School was providing instruction to some 2,000 individuals in 90 different localities throughout the Grand Duchy. Celebrating its 140th anniverary on 29 June 2004, the UGDA launched a music festival entitled Musique pour tous (Music for All). Its music school now had some 3,600 students in 65 municipalities. On 29 May 2005, in connection with celebrations for the Luxembourg presidency of the Council of the European Union
, 850 musicians, singers and dancers performed on the Grand-Place
in Brussels
.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, representing choral societies, brass bands, music schools, theatrical societies, folklore associations and instrumental groups. Covering some 340 societies, it has over 17,000 individual members.
History
On 6 September 1863, the Allgemeiner Luxemburger Musikverein (ALM) was founded to represent the interests of 26 music and choral societies in Luxembourg. The honorary president was Prince Henry of the Netherlands, the president August Fischer, a member of the Chamber of DeputiesChamber of Deputies of Luxembourg
The Chamber of Deputies , abbreviated to the Chamber, is the unicameral national legislature of Luxembourg. 'Krautmaart' is sometimes used as a metonym for the Chamber, after the square on which the Hôtel de la Chambre is located....
and a city councilor, and the director Jean-Antoine Zinnen
Jean Antoine Zinnen
Jean Antoine Zinnen was a Luxembourgian composer, best known for the Luxembourgian national anthem, Ons Hémécht.-Career:...
, the national composer. On 15 June 1984, the first ALM festival was held in Ettelbrück
Ettelbruck
Ettelbruck is a commune with city status in central Luxembourg, with a population of approximately 7,500. As of 2005, the town of Ettelbruck itself, which lies in the east of the commune, has a population of 6,191. The town of Warken and Grentzingen are also within the commune...
with a choral rendering of the patriotic poem Ons Hémecht written by Michel Lentz
Michel Lentz
Michel Lentz was a Luxembourgian poet. He is best known for having written Ons Hémécht, the national anthem of Luxembourg....
and set to music by Zinnen. The following year, at a music festival in Vianden
Vianden
Vianden is a commune with city status in the Oesling, north-eastern Luxembourg, with over 1,500 inhabitants. It is the capital of the canton of Vianden, which is part of the district of Diekirch. Vianden lies on the Our river, near the border between Luxembourg and Germany., the town of Vianden,...
, it was sung to an instrumental accompaniment for the first time.
By the end of the 1880s, the ALM was no longer effective. On 31 March 1891, meeting in Luxembourg city hall, the representatives of 116 music and theatrical organizations revived the federation, renaming it the Adolph-Verband as it officially enjoyed the patronage of Grand Duke Adolphe
Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Adolphe I, Grand Duke of Luxembourg was the last Duke of Nassau, and the fourth Grand Duke of Luxembourg.-Biography:...
. Léon Metz, mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette is a commune with city status, in south-western Luxembourg. It is the country's second city, and its second-most populous commune, with a population of 29,853 people...
was its first president, Philippe Manternach was the music director and Laurent Menager
Laurent Menager
Laurent Menager was a Luxembourg composer, choirmaster, organist and conductor who is often referred to as Luxembourg's national composer...
the choral director. In 1919, the name of the organization became Union Adolphe which, in 1947, was finally modified to Union Grand-Duc Adolphe (UGDA), then representing 174 music societies. The UGDA set up a permanent office on the Place d'Armes
Place d'Armes (Luxembourg)
The Place d'Armes is a square in Luxembourg City in the south of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Centrally placed in the old town, it attracts large numbers of locals and visitors, especially in the summer months...
in 1956 and, in 1969, moved into a new seat in the renovated Van der Vekene House in the Grund
Grund, Luxembourg
Grund is a quarter in central Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It is located in the valley below the centre of Luxembourg City on the banks of the Alzette River and, in addition to being a picturesque area, is a popular nightlife precinct which can be accessed by foot or via a lift which...
. Since 1986, when it came under the patronage of Grand Duke Jean
Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg ruled Luxembourg from 1964 to 2000. He is the father of the current ruler, Grand Duke Henri, and the son of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma...
and Grand Duchess Charlotte
Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg was the reigning Grand Duchess of Luxembourg from 1919 to 1964.-Early life and life as Grand Duchess:...
, the UGDA has created its own music schools and has generally promoted interest in music by organizing concerts and workshops.
By 1993, the UGDA Music School was providing instruction to some 2,000 individuals in 90 different localities throughout the Grand Duchy. Celebrating its 140th anniverary on 29 June 2004, the UGDA launched a music festival entitled Musique pour tous (Music for All). Its music school now had some 3,600 students in 65 municipalities. On 29 May 2005, in connection with celebrations for the Luxembourg presidency of the Council of the European Union
Council of the European Union
The Council of the European Union is the institution in the legislature of the European Union representing the executives of member states, the other legislative body being the European Parliament. The Council is composed of twenty-seven national ministers...
, 850 musicians, singers and dancers performed on the Grand-Place
Grand Place
The Grand Place or Grote Markt is the central square of Brussels. It is surrounded by guildhalls, the city's Town Hall, and the Breadhouse . The square is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels, along with the Atomium and Manneken Pis...
in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.