We began the day with a four hour trip to Salzburg, including a stop at a nearby cafe and shop. We then toured around Salzburg and had dinner and went straight to sleep.
The next day, we were taken on a wonderful 'Sound of Music' tour. We saw, visited and took photographs of the sites (including the gazebo during the song 'Sixteen Going On Seventeen' as well as the church where both the real life and film Maria and Captain von Trapp were married).
After lunch and some free time, we travelled to Werfengeng for our final performance ever! When our performance finished, everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' to the girls whose birthdays fell on the dates of the trip with some cake.
This is our final day in Europe and we are heading back to Sydney tomorrow via Dubai!
Thursday 12 July 2012
THANKYOUS!
As the final day of the Europe tour approaches, I speak on behalf of all the students and Meriden parents to thank all those involved in organizing the tour. I don't think this thank you post even covers how grateful we all are for everybody's contribution to make our tour absolutely memorable, and an amazing experience we will remember for the rest of our lives.
Lauren: for accompanying us on the trip and doing a wonderful job at helping out!
Miss Simms: for playing the French horn wonderfully and accompanying us on the trip!
Mrs Hanwell-Short: for accompanying us on the trip and doing a wonderful job at helping out!
Mrs Slater: for accompanying us on the trip and doing a wonderful job at helping out!
Miss Williams: for playing the piano for the Singers (and playing beautifully!).
Mrs Pecina: for doing an absolutely AMAZING job at conducting the Singers, and motivating us to do our very best!
Oondra and Ulrike: for being incredible tour guides and making the tour even more wonderful than it already was!
Erwalv: for driving the tour bus, for long hours at a time!
And last but not least...
MR SLATER!! With all your hard work and dedication, none of this would have been possible without you! Thanks for putting all your time and effort into organizing the trip as well as doing a great job at conducting the orchestra.
Lauren: for accompanying us on the trip and doing a wonderful job at helping out!
Miss Simms: for playing the French horn wonderfully and accompanying us on the trip!
Mrs Hanwell-Short: for accompanying us on the trip and doing a wonderful job at helping out!
Mrs Slater: for accompanying us on the trip and doing a wonderful job at helping out!
Miss Williams: for playing the piano for the Singers (and playing beautifully!).
Mrs Pecina: for doing an absolutely AMAZING job at conducting the Singers, and motivating us to do our very best!
Oondra and Ulrike: for being incredible tour guides and making the tour even more wonderful than it already was!
Erwalv: for driving the tour bus, for long hours at a time!
And last but not least...
MR SLATER!! With all your hard work and dedication, none of this would have been possible without you! Thanks for putting all your time and effort into organizing the trip as well as doing a great job at conducting the orchestra.
Wednesday 11 July 2012
Days 8, 9 and 10-Vienna
The choir went to their 2 hour workshop this morning, which was an enjoyable experience for all the girls there. We were placed with the choristers from Cantala (Wellington, NZ) and some of us exchanged experiences of Europe. We then travelled to the Musikverein to watch the orchestra perform.
Meanwhile, the orchestra spent some time rehearsing before their competition. This rehearsal was put to good use as they sounded beyond amazing. Various people cried during Amanda's solo in 'Theme from Schindler's List', for instance.
Afterwards, we travelled approximately 90 minutes to Groß Siegharts where we were one of the few performers visiting the area. The mayor of the town came to watch and various photographs of us were taken to feature in their local paper.
Our performance was well received and we then had dinner at the concert hall. Afterwards on the way back to the hotel, the results of the orchestra competition were announced. Whilst they did not receive a place, they still performed excellently and it was a wonderful experience for all.
The next day, whilst the orchestra took part in their workshop, the choir prepared for their competition.
Later, the orchestra came to watch the singers compete (and cheered when they walked on stage!). They performed incredibly well and afterwards, Annabel and Miriam were acknowledged for their crisp solo part in 'Bitte Betti', as well as Ma Williams for her accompanying on the piano.
We then travelled to Bad Schonau to perform at their local church a few hours later. The audience enjoyed our performance, and the orchestra played an encore at their request. Afterwards, we were told that the singers placed 5th out of 12 choirs, a wonderful achievement!
The next day, we drove to the graveyard to see the graves of famous composers (for example-Beethoven, Strauss). We then travelled to the largest shopping mall in Austria to speed shop!
Afterwards, we rehearsed for the Gala Winners Concert and then watched all the choirs and orchestras who received a place in their section. We ended the evening with a dinner with all the other participants in the festival, and spoke to many of them. Our understanding of culture has significantly broadened!
Meanwhile, the orchestra spent some time rehearsing before their competition. This rehearsal was put to good use as they sounded beyond amazing. Various people cried during Amanda's solo in 'Theme from Schindler's List', for instance.
Afterwards, we travelled approximately 90 minutes to Groß Siegharts where we were one of the few performers visiting the area. The mayor of the town came to watch and various photographs of us were taken to feature in their local paper.
Our performance was well received and we then had dinner at the concert hall. Afterwards on the way back to the hotel, the results of the orchestra competition were announced. Whilst they did not receive a place, they still performed excellently and it was a wonderful experience for all.
The next day, whilst the orchestra took part in their workshop, the choir prepared for their competition.
Later, the orchestra came to watch the singers compete (and cheered when they walked on stage!). They performed incredibly well and afterwards, Annabel and Miriam were acknowledged for their crisp solo part in 'Bitte Betti', as well as Ma Williams for her accompanying on the piano.
We then travelled to Bad Schonau to perform at their local church a few hours later. The audience enjoyed our performance, and the orchestra played an encore at their request. Afterwards, we were told that the singers placed 5th out of 12 choirs, a wonderful achievement!
The next day, we drove to the graveyard to see the graves of famous composers (for example-Beethoven, Strauss). We then travelled to the largest shopping mall in Austria to speed shop!
Afterwards, we rehearsed for the Gala Winners Concert and then watched all the choirs and orchestras who received a place in their section. We ended the evening with a dinner with all the other participants in the festival, and spoke to many of them. Our understanding of culture has significantly broadened!
Monday 9 July 2012
Passau & Prague
This is a collection of photos of our time in Passau and Prague. Sorry they have no order- my iPod would not let me order them. The photos are from
- Our tour of Passau
- The Old Town in Prague
- Prague Castle
- The Clock Tower
- Our tour of Passau
- The Old Town in Prague
- Prague Castle
- The Clock Tower
Saturday 7 July 2012
Day 6 & 7
We started off the day by having breakfast and packing our bags before loading up for our trip to Vienna. This time yet another girl pulled a Chloe and almost lost her laptop - lucky that the teachers found it in the hotel room!
After 2 hours on the bus we made it to the small village of Telc to have lunch. After some free time we got on the bus. Very quickly we all began to sweat, the air conditioner broken. After 3 hours of what felt like about 38 degree heat we made it to Vienna. We all rushed out onto the side walk with sighs of relief.
We looked around Vienna and some girls went to the acclaimed Cafe Mozart. They have delicious ice-creams and cakes!
Then we had a guided walking tour around Vienna, where we saw many beautiful sights such as the St Stephens Cathedral and the gardens. Afterwards we had dinner at the Wiener Rathuskeller and then headed straight for the hotel for sleep.
The next day, we toured around the Schonbrunn Palace in unbearable heat. Some girls went to the very top of the palace gardens to photograph the amazing views.
After lunch, we had some free time to shop and then the opening ceremony of the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival at the St Stephens Cathedral. There, we all sung the SCL anthem, were introduced to other representatives of the competing schools and watched another choir perform. The opening ceremony has added to the excitement of performing in the competition-all the best luck to the orchestra who are competing tomorrow!
After 2 hours on the bus we made it to the small village of Telc to have lunch. After some free time we got on the bus. Very quickly we all began to sweat, the air conditioner broken. After 3 hours of what felt like about 38 degree heat we made it to Vienna. We all rushed out onto the side walk with sighs of relief.
We looked around Vienna and some girls went to the acclaimed Cafe Mozart. They have delicious ice-creams and cakes!
Then we had a guided walking tour around Vienna, where we saw many beautiful sights such as the St Stephens Cathedral and the gardens. Afterwards we had dinner at the Wiener Rathuskeller and then headed straight for the hotel for sleep.
The next day, we toured around the Schonbrunn Palace in unbearable heat. Some girls went to the very top of the palace gardens to photograph the amazing views.
After lunch, we had some free time to shop and then the opening ceremony of the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival at the St Stephens Cathedral. There, we all sung the SCL anthem, were introduced to other representatives of the competing schools and watched another choir perform. The opening ceremony has added to the excitement of performing in the competition-all the best luck to the orchestra who are competing tomorrow!
Thursday 5 July 2012
Day 4 & 5: Prague
We began our day by performing at the German School of Prague, where our performance received a lot of praise. Some of the students treated us to chocolate and many, many cakes were provided for us.
After that, we had lunch nearby the main square and then toured around the area. One popular sight amongst the tourists was the Old Town Astronomical Clock. Every hour, a musician plays a quick melody on the trumpet at the top of the tower, and large bells are rung. We also did a lot of shopping!
The next day, we went to one of the most historic landmarks in the country: Prague Castle. We saw various types of architecture, such as Baroque, Gothic and Classical.
After we had lunch, we went shopping again around the square. Some girls went to the chocolate shop (Choco Story) and saw how chocolate and rock candies were made! (Picture below)
Later, we prepared to perform at Kostel Svateho Salvatorska. The acoustics were incredible, and the audience were impressed by our orchestra and singers.
Off to Vienna tomorrow!
After that, we had lunch nearby the main square and then toured around the area. One popular sight amongst the tourists was the Old Town Astronomical Clock. Every hour, a musician plays a quick melody on the trumpet at the top of the tower, and large bells are rung. We also did a lot of shopping!
The next day, we went to one of the most historic landmarks in the country: Prague Castle. We saw various types of architecture, such as Baroque, Gothic and Classical.
After we had lunch, we went shopping again around the square. Some girls went to the chocolate shop (Choco Story) and saw how chocolate and rock candies were made! (Picture below)
Later, we prepared to perform at Kostel Svateho Salvatorska. The acoustics were incredible, and the audience were impressed by our orchestra and singers.
Off to Vienna tomorrow!
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Day 3 & 4 - Passau and Prague
Yesterday, we went on a guided tour of Passau. We first visited a hill where a panoramic view of the city could be seen. It was absolutely exquisite and many of us took photos such as below, and one girl did a Chloe and lost her memory card only to find it again!
Then we visited the inner centre of the town, passing by the marketplace (where some girls received free bread!), historic landmarks and shops. After lunch, we walked to the Cathedral (below). The contrast between Australian and German cathedrals is clear, as the cathedral we visited was rich, historic and golden. It is an absolutely beautiful place.
Later, we travelled four hours via the tour bus to Prague into stormy weather. We had dinner at a restaurant nearby Prague Castle which has incredible views of the city.
Then we visited the inner centre of the town, passing by the marketplace (where some girls received free bread!), historic landmarks and shops. After lunch, we walked to the Cathedral (below). The contrast between Australian and German cathedrals is clear, as the cathedral we visited was rich, historic and golden. It is an absolutely beautiful place.
Later, we travelled four hours via the tour bus to Prague into stormy weather. We had dinner at a restaurant nearby Prague Castle which has incredible views of the city.
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