December 29, 2017. First performance by students of “SPLASH”, which is the new percussion school, founded by Marcel Falize in June 2016. Did you know that the Falize family also started a Tyrolean Band, named “Tiroler Ohne Bergen”, which means “Tyroleans Without Mountains” (because Holland has no mountains….)

December 29, 2017. Article from “Parkstad Actueel”, by Callie Steijaert. Translated by Ineke, assisted by John. The first big student concert in Cornelius House, Heerlen, Limburg, on Saturday December 30, 2017. When the name Marcel Falize (residing in Heerlerheide) is mentioned, then everyone knows that he is a professional musician, who for many years has been a gifted percussionist for the world's best Stand- Alone-Violinist André Rieu and his Johann Strauss orchestra and subsequently performs in almost all parts of our globe. In addition, he has also been instructor/conductor of the successful Hunting-Horn & Trumpet Band "Edelweiss" in Heerlen (Heksenberg) for 20 years and is also involved in the riffle club "Vaesrade". The Lift-Off orchestra is also a brainchild of his, in which his three sons, Colin, Dean and Glenn are also closely involved. So this is clearly a musical family. With Marcel Falize there are no limits when it comes to musical ideas. A special example of this is the new percussion school, named "Splash", which was launched in August 2016 as a part of Lift-Off, and began with only two students. But now, December 2017, Marcel & sons already have 60 students in their educational program, who hail from various locations in Southern Limburg, with some even from an international location of Selfkant (German municipality). The approach of this education is to provide tailor- made lessons in, amongst others, the playing of small drums, drums, percussion and melodic percussion instruments. The Splash Percussion School therefore provides tailor-made lessons and should also be seen as a preparation for the conservatory for the (aspiring)-musician. In the meantime, the training cycle of the current students is such that Marcel with ease in mind dared to organize a real (student) concert together with his percussion orchestra Lift-Off. An Open Podium for the students to get used to performing. This will take place on Saturday 30 December 2017, as a real premiere, in Cultural Center Cornelius House in Heerlerheide at 6 pm (with free entrance). Of course students will be featured in the first part of the program and in the second half a collaboration concert with Lift Off. Everyone is of course very welcome to attend this concert, which can only be described as unique. It certainly is worth the effort. After the concert no one needs to go home immediately, because there will be a sparkling "After Party" on stage with the cooperation of their own Tyrolean band "Ohne Bergen" (see photo), which can also be heard on 13 January in the community house Heksenberg and on 28 January there will be a ladies' session at the Café de Bok in Heerlerheide.

The first student concert of percussion school “SPLASH”. In 2016 Marcel Falize started a percussion school named “Splash”, with 2 students. The present 60 students come from the Netherlands and Germany, mainly from the German community “Selfkant/Saeffelen” which is squeezed on three sides by the Dutch border. That’s why Marcel spoke his introductions in two languages: Dutch and German. Ruud and Ineke attended the concert and had an enjoyable evening. The entire Falize family consists of gifted musicians. Not only percussion as you might have thought! We saw the Tyrolean band, which started only two months ago, with Marcel Falize playing the bass guitar and Glenn Falize playing a combination of a keyboard and a guitar, named a “Keytar”! We know that Dean recently started a trumpet study! Two daughters in law played accordion and guitar, André Falize (Marcel’s brother) played the trumpet. Even Mik Falize (1), in the arms of his grandmother Nicole, has inherited the musical genes, as you may see in the third video. Enjoy!

Sunday July 8, 2018. Report of a Tiroler ohne Bergen concert in Heerlen, by Kerstin Lundberg. I, together with my friends, Wilma, Paul and Scott Brown, Edwina Morgan, Elizabeth Baker (Australia), Sally Hodges and Jill Baggaley (UK) went to the town of Heerlen, to listen to the Falize family band “Tiroler Ohne Bergen” {Tyrolean without mountains). We had a marvelous time. From the Vrijthof we called a taxi van for 8 people and we soon arrived at the marketplace in Heerlen, where they had erected a stage. In front of that stage were tables and benches like a real Bavarian (German) "Bierstube" (Beer pub) to sit and enjoy the concert, which we did! The band played for 3 hours with 2 small breaks. They were playing all kinds of music. Not only Tyrolean (Austrian) music but also for example “The Snow Waltz”. We jumped up and down as we learned from André Rieu! They played amongst others: “Ein Stern”, “Sierra Madre”, “Marina” and many more. We were told by Marcel Falize that his whole family is in the band. His sons Glenn and Colin play and Dean is in the crew. Members are also Marcel's brother André, Glenn’s wife Gina Zerdoner and her sister Marina. Ralph Leijendeckers is the singer and host and the other members are Nina Claassen (Dean's fiancée) and Math Beckers. The atmosphere at the market place was terrific. People sang along, clapped and danced and all had a great time together. If you ever have the chance to see the band “Tiroler Ohne Bergen” live, then take it. The cheerful music will make you happy! I want to thank my friends who arranged this tour, they did a great job! Kerstin Lundberg (from Sweden).

Enjoy the video below of the Dutch Tyrolean band. The credits for this video go to Sander Bossink.

Saturday December 29, 2018. The Falize family has made it a tradition: a yearly performance by students of their percussion school SPLASH in the Cornelius House in Heerlerheide (Limburg). The students obtain stage experience and can also show their friends and family their progress of the past year. Marcel Falize founded the percussion school in 2016 for inexperienced students, as a preparatory school towards for the conservatory. Young children experience and learn to feel the beat by tapping sticks and the advanced students learn to play several instruments, sometimes together with the professionals of the Falize percussion band Lift-Off. Every year the performance is followed by an after party of the (also founded by the Falize family!) Tyrolean band: “Tiroler Ohne Berge”. It’s not unnoticed that Marcel and Glenn play several more instruments besides percussion: In the Tyrolean Band they play both bass guitar and “keytar” and during the SPLASH performance we saw Marcel (and his father) play the flute, in support and to accompany a small flute section of SPLASH, since some of the pupils were absent due to the holiday season. Isn’t it amazing to watch the multi talented Falize family??

Below a video of a SPLASH performance, followed by Lift-Off.

Tyroleans without Mountains, in beautiful new Austrian outfits. A ten person band, all Falize family members and friends, playing German and Austrian music. Singer: Ralph Leijendeckers. Video below: December 2018.

July 2021: Performing in Tyrol, Austria.

Marcel Falize.

Nicole Falize-Hofland with Glenn’s son Mik.

March 25th, 2023. Third edition of the Limburg party with the band Tiroler Ohne Berge (TOB) Hüttengaudi 2023. (Tyroleans without Mountains is a band by the Falize family and friends). Completely different from André’s music. Just listen to the joyful Limburg-, German-, Austrian music. Venue: Corneliushuis in Heerlerheide, Limburg. Video by Ruud and Ineke: 10 minutes.