Leicester University Chamber Choir Tour to Krefeld July 2025
This summer, the Leicester University Chamber Choir was fortunate enough to go on tour to Krefeld in Germany. We had such an amazing time and are incredibly grateful for all the support we received in organising the trip – from CLETA here in Leicester and also from Frank Langen in Krefeld, who was an outstanding host and consistently warm and welcoming throughout our stay. We were truly blown away by the hospitality we experienced in Germany.
We stayed in a lovely hostel by a beautiful lake, which provided the perfect setting to relax and unwind between our performances. Every morning, we were treated to a delicious breakfast that had been thoughtfully laid out for us, which we were all very thankful for. The fridge was always well-stocked with drinks and snacks, ensuring we were well looked after throughout our stay. We spent a lot of time relaxing by the lake, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and the chance to swim and make use of the inflatable obstacle course. To make things even easier, taxis were organised for us whenever we needed to travel, which made getting to and from our concerts and events effortless. The care and attention that went into making us feel comfortable was something we truly appreciated, and it made our time in Krefeld feel incredibly special.
LUCC performed three concerts in total. On the day we arrived we performed at St. Peter’s Church, Uerdingen where the resonant acoustics of the space were beyond what we could have hoped for, and inspired the choir and audience alike. We could not have expected a better audience, as the community filled the space and showed such love and appreciation for our music with a standing ovation.
The following day Frank Langen had meticulously planned a ‘British Day’ especially for our visit, it was loads of fun, and we greatly enjoyed sharing our favourite pieces with the enthusiastic audience. Sharing pints, hearing bagpipes, and chatting with local people between sets was enjoyable and entertaining for all. We hope this is the start of a new tradition for future visitors!
On our final night, we sang at the Stadtwaldhaus – a huge beer garden, said to be the largest outside Bavaria. Performing on the outdoor stage there was an absolute joy. Many people came to listen while enjoying their food and drink, and once again we were touched by the generosity of our host, who made sure we were well looked after with plenty of food and refreshments.
Another memorable moment was meeting a lady from Krefeld who had been part of the very first group of young people to visit Leicester back in the 1950s. She was thrilled to meet us, and she shared photos, a scrapbook, and even old pen pal messages from her time in Leicester. It was such a special encounter.
As part of our visit to Krefeld, Frank had made arrangements for us to visit the Krefeld Zoo which is located in the centre of Krefeld. We were privileged enough to have Frank as our personal tour guide who made sure we saw everything – even when it began to pour with rain!
Our accommodation was situated next to the Uerdingen Commercial Chemical Park where we were showed around by a representative of the park who explained the process of production and even included a quiz!
The choir’s visit to Town Hall to meet the Lord Mayor was a highlight of the visit. The Lord Mayor spoke fondly of the bond between Leicester and Krefeld, contextualising the relationship through the eyes of history and expressing the shared dedication to maintaining a strong friendship. The impactful speech by the mayor and the lovely gift to the choir will be held in our memories for a long time.
Overall the choir had the most amazing time in Krefeld and we are looking forward to hosting Frank Langen and his wife for our Christmas concert on Friday 5th December.
