King’s Worcester Musicians enjoy Tour of Paris

The King’s Worcester Music Tour to Paris over half term was a great success. 34 pupils and 5 staff enjoyed 4 days in Paris with lots of sightseeing, three concerts and a day at Disneyland to finish off the tour. 

Our first day involved visiting the Musée d’Orsay, home to a large collection of paintings and sculptures by artists such as Monet, Manet, van Gogh and Renoir. Our first concert was at Saint Sulpice, the second-largest church in Paris after Notre Dame. Over 100 tourists, locals, parents and an unexpected surprise visit from the Headmaster enjoyed a varied concert featuring music by the Chamber Choir, Choristers, Chamber Orchestra and School Choir as well as solos from Alfred K, Ollie P and Tom R.

The second day took us to the very popular Montmartre area and the Basilica of Sacre Coeur where we enjoyed panoramic views of Paris and explored the narrow streets and shops. Three members of staff were game enough to have their caricatures drawn in the square, much to the amusement of the pupils! The second concert was in a smaller church, the Temple de Batignolle. The acoustic was stunning though the audience was a very select crowd of parents and our coach drivers. The third day featured a visit to Tour Montparnasse, the only skyscraper in Paris where we enjoyed panoramic views from the top of the building.

Our final concert was very special in La Madeleine. This huge rectangular-shaped church that looks like an ancient Roman or Greek building is beautiful inside. Our concert had a seated audience of about 200 together with more tourists at the back of the church exploring an art installation. The effect of the choristers processing through the audience singing the opening of Britten’s Ceremony of Carols was a wonderful moment as the musical part of the tour came to a close.  At the end of the concert, we headed to the river Seine to enjoy an evening cruise.

Our final day was spent at Disneyland where much fun was had by all enjoying the atmosphere and rides.

The pupils were exemplary in their behaviour throughout the tour. It was special to see friendships forming across all year groups from Lower Fourth to Upper Sixth. Mr Taranczuk and Mr Gunter extend their thanks to the additional staff on the trip who gave up most of their half term to support the trip. Many thanks to Mr Branchett, Mrs Kilbey from St Alban’s and the Cathedral’s Assistant Director of Music Mr Freestone.