The guestbook after the Glass Vase Concert

The best part after producing and/or giving a house concert is reading the guest book. I like to save this ritual to a quiet time after everyone else has left.

Yesterday between 14:00 and 04:00, some 80 people flowed through our monument house to attend four different concerts performed by a dozen musicians in the Glass Vase Concert.

Two professional photographers and a film maker were present to capture the musicians in action and the audience indoors and outdoors. One concert was held in the back garden. 50 diners shared an Egyptian meal together.

We had the finest French wines from a local wine merchant who also plays the classical guitar and, as a gesture of supporting this series for the second time, donated a bottle of 2002 Churchill port.

Robert proudly served his new home brewed beer in Monument House glass mugs that he designed when he first started brewing beer in 2007. It was an incredible event on a beautiful sunny day in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Queuing for Egyptian dinner in the garden of Monument House Utrecht. Photo: Serge van Empelen

This morning I shared our ritual of reading from the guest book with the organisers and volunteers.

Thank you very much for opening your home for this truly warm, friendly and very musical event. I came on my own but I did not feel that I was alone. I loved the music, food, hospitality, and the mix of people that turned up. I hope you gain more energy from this than you have put into it! Glad I came.
Sharon, a university lecturer from Singapore / Utrecht

Thank you for inviting me and my mother to this wonderful cultural and thoroughly enjoyable event. Especially after a long and stressful week in the US, I was glad to be immersed into Dutch culture again, accompanied by wonderful music, company, and food. Very well organised and worth repeating. We will stay in touch.
Rajesh, Indian consultant from Eindhoven

Again, I was enthusiastic about the concert, the atmosphere and open-ness of your house!
Elisabeth, German psychologist from Utrecht

As always, a joy to have been here. Great food, even better music. Thanks,
Onno, Dutch university student from Nieuw Vennep

This was lots of fun. We loved the music and the company. Wish we had heard you play, but we bought the CD so we’ll have to make do with that.
Gary & Phoebe, American couple from Den Haag

What a delight and honour to be included in this! Dank u wel,
Jeff, American mediator and concert producer from Houston, Texas

For me this was the first experience of a house concert, and I’ll have to say that I really enjoyed the whole thing a lot. It has also been for me the first closest encounter to musicians playing in such a closed and cosy space.
Balinder, Indian IT consultant from Zeist

I really, really, really enjoyed being a guest in your house today! Wonderful atmosphere, people, food, drinks + MUSIC! See you next time, enjoy!
Marianne Verbrugge, Dutch vocalist and composer from Utrecht

Thanks for hosting such a wonderful day of concerts! Thanks for letting us play! We had a great time. I’m looking forward to the next!
Stephanie Hunt, American cellist from the Hague

Thank you very much for organising all this. I enjoyed a lot! All the best!
Fernando Venturin, Brazilian cellist from the Hague

Thanks for the opportunity to perform Elgar and Glinka. I enjoyed it very much. Hopefully there will be a next time.
Nicky Bouwers, Dutch contralto from Rotterdam

Thank you so much for organising this great concert. I really enjoyed playing for this interesting, diverse audience. Everybody is invited to my final exam the 18th of June 10:30 am. See you there!
Leonie de Klerk, Dutch pianist from Utrecht

Guests and musicians of Monument House Concert Series Glass Vase Concert in Utrecht. Photo: Serge van Empelen

Not everyone signed the guest book, but there is always the online guest book here. Leave a reply.