Description EN
Koninklijke Harmonie Concordia Kunst naar Vermogen was founded in 1870 and can look back on a rich history of concert and marching performances. In 1973, the youth concert band Mortsella was founded and became national champion only four years later.
Concerts and projects
From the late 1990s onwards, the concert band increasingly began to focus on two disciplines. On the one hand, ambitious concert projects were organised every year, often in collaboration with choirs, composers, soloists or singers. One of the projects that has remained strongly etched in the memory of both musicians and audiences is Wings, featuring the internationally renowned composer and pianist Piet Swerts.
Marching performances and tattoos
On the other hand, the tradition of marching performances was also revived. This led to several successful appearances, including at the Izegem Herfstfestival, where the band won first prize, Bandshow Oostende, the Fedekam Tattoo on the Burg in Bruges and the International Tattoo on the Grand Place in Brussels.
The association today
Today, the association has around 100 members. They are divided across the concert band conducted by Hannes Vanlancker, the youth concert band Mortsella conducted by Jonas Dekyvere, the beginner ensemble De Mini’s conducted by Alana Pruvot and the percussion ensemble PRQC conducted by Wannes Defraye.
Concordia consciously chooses young, ambitious conductors. Through that dynamic, the association continues to realise challenging and high-quality projects. Since 2016, the concert band has been conducted by Hannes Vanlancker.
Selected highlights
The concert band can look back on a series of unforgettable concerts and remarkable projects:
2012 - The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, in collaboration with choirs from Moorsele, Gullegem and Rollegem
2012 - Venlo, the Netherlands - participation in Temaward
2014 - Schladming, Austria - participation in the Mid Europe Festival
2019 - Riva del Garda, Italy - participation in the international competition Flicorno d’Oro
2023 - Carmina Burana, in collaboration with the choirs Crescendo Rollegem, Con Cuore Waregem and Laidos Waregem
2025 - Lleida, Spain - participation in the Fem Banda Festival