Performance, Culture and Sightseeing in Music Trip to Belgium

King’s half term music trip to Belgium featuring the school choir, chamber choir, chamber orchestra, and additional instrumentalists was a resounding success. The tour saw three concerts take place in Ypres, Poperinge, and Ostend.

One of the most poignant moments of the tour was the performance at the Menin Gate ceremony in Ypres on Saturday evening. This large memorial has the names of 54,000 soldiers killed during the First World War whose graves are unknown, including several Old Vigornians.

The choir and orchestra performed (in the snow) in front of approximately 1,000 people, creating a deeply moving atmosphere during the laying of wreaths by several visiting schools. They performed the anthem, Before Action, written by King’s parent Hilgrove Kenrick, specifically for this occasion. Adding to the emotional weight of the event, Eleanor C, senior cadet in the CCF, laid a wreath in honour of Old Vigornians.

The concert in Poperinge was held in Talbot House, which was used during the war as a resting place and entertainment venue for soldiers away from the front line.  A good audience of locals was captivated by the pupils’ performances. Our tour guide informed us that two Old Vigornians, pupil Charles Eccles, and former Master of School House, Bede Fenton, both visited the house and signed their guest book in 1917; both were killed in action by the end of that year.

In Ypres, the concert took place in St George’s Memorial Church. Another good audience, made up of members of St George’s congregation, came to support the performance. This church also has a link to King’s; on the Nave wall is a plaque in memory of Old Vigornians that was placed there about 20 years ago.

The tour also included visits to several World War I sites, such as the Tyne Cot cemetery and the Flanders Fields Museum. These visits provided the students with an increased understanding of the important historical context of this area of Belgium.

In addition to the concerts and historical visits, the tour offered plenty of opportunities to explore. The students enjoyed visiting numerous chocolate shops, indulging in Belgium’s famous sweet treats.

An afternoon spent exploring the picturesque city of Bruges on the final day was a highlight for many. The group basked in the sunshine while taking in the city’s stunning architecture and charming canals. A river cruise through Bruges provided a relaxing and enjoyable way to see the city from a unique perspective.

The music tour was a perfect blend of performance, culture and sightseeing and one that was greatly enjoyed by all.