On May 2, BYU’s jazz ensemble Synthesis began their tour to Europe in the Netherlands. Members of Synthesis immersed themselves in Amsterdam’s vibrant ambiance, exploring the world-renowned Keukenhof Tulip Gardens and riding a canal boat through the city. Later Synthesis performed an original arrangement in a meetinghouse in Amsterdam before taking center stage Sunday evening at the ZIMIHC Theater Stefanus, where they performed alongside student big bands from Utrecht and Stuttgart. Before leaving the Netherlands, Synthesis joined a master class at Conservatorium Maastricht conducted by Dave Kikoski and Alex Sipiagin, two world-class jazz musicians.
Synthesis then traveled to Germany, visiting Bad Bergzabern and Kaiserslautern, where they conducted performance workshops with high school student bands and performed for enthusiastic crowds.
In Brussels, the European Union Office and International Affairs Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted Synthesis for a special performance for ambassadors from around the globe on May 10 at the KBR Museum. Elder Jack Gerard of the Europe Central Area Presidency and Sister Jean Bingham, former Relief Society General President, spoke with the band members about the importance of building global bridges and the impact their conversations and performance would have that night in helping those bridges turn into friendships.