NEWS
George Evans, 16, clarinettist, reports on Greenwich Youth Band’s summer tour of Rhineland.
Wednesday 27th July 2011 Unpleasantly awoken at the unknown hour of 4.45am for a 5.30am meet at the Tudor Barn. Mood in coach upbeat but relatively quiet. Sleep to consciousness and back again. Ferry from Dover to Calais, France into Belgium and then the Netherlands before fi nally arriving in Germany and The Hotel Lindenhof in Düsseldorf on the banks of the Rhine a whole 12 hours later.
Sausage and potatoes with soup. Verdict: ‘interesting’ or ‘delectable’ according to taste. Two teams for the tour, The Blowers
casting a spotlight upon the band!
Late dinner of that traditional(?) German staple of pasta in Bolognese sauce, followed by exploration of our small village. One shop, a restaurant and a pub; quite diff erent from life in Eltham.
Friday 29th July 2011 Later breakfast, then 15 minute drive to Kamp Bornhofen for 9.10pm. Ferry takes us down the Rhine where we experience the natural beauty of the area, watching wild mountain goats on the steep slopes covered by overwhelming forests dotted with medieval castles around the mountain tops.
SEnine Banding Together Auf Deutschland
souvenir shops. Final concert in a beautiful winery. Many English in audience including an ex-Deputy Head of John Roan School in Greenwich, just 15 minutes from Eltham! Surrounded by vines and succulent grapes. Whilst we play, a wine tasting takes place. Maybe that’s why there were so many English around? Enthusiastic response to our themes from James Bond and Star Trek to our three jazz pieces “Jazz It Up”.
Cross the Rhine to the
quaint village of St Goar. A number of us decide to climb the large mountain that dominates the town. Then refreshments including that German traditional feast of
Return to hotel for Bangers/Blowers. Fancy dress song and dance. Bangers perform great version of The Lion King involving vibrant costumes and make up. Blowers do a three song medley involving a waltz, Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder and YMCA. Boys in leggings and vest top with make up. Bangers take it by one point.
and The Bangers. First contest, a hard fought quiz. The overall trophy provides hotly contested sub-text for tour.
Thursday 28th July 2011 Early breakfast, then two hour trip to theme park, Phantasialand. Rides such as Black Mamba and Talocan before heading to fi rst concert in Bad Kreuznach at 6.00pm. in front of exclusive hotel in the centre of town.
Give it our best shot with wide
repertoire from My Fair Lady and Michael Jackson medley. This evening concert was particularly special due to the beautiful setting; the sun comes out from behind the hotel as we perform in the small clearing
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kebabs and currywurst (curried sausage). Perform in the Spa Park at Bad Salzig at 4pm. Impress audience with delicate solos in Ayres of Agincourt and The Two Imps. Our conductor, Chris Lloyd, really pleased with performance and audience response; so rewards us with evening off . Much rehearsing for tomorrow’s Banger/Blower competition!
Saturday 30th July 2011 Another late breakfast. Travel to Kamp Bornhofen again to local pool. But cold weather and open air pool shut. So, head for Boppard, another typical Rhineland town with river running through and many
Sunday 31st July Long journey home, arrive back at Tudor Barn at around 9pm. Overall competition result Blowers 178 points, Bangers 182. Final tour song a rousing rendition from whole coach of ‘Glory, Glory, Greenwich Youth Band’.
Thanks to directors of Greenwich Academy of Music and Dance Amy Lloyd and Laura Swadkin, for arranging the tour and to our conductor Chris Lloyd. Also to Simon and Caroline for helping out with the tour. Finally to our driver Stuart, cheerful and happy and trying his hand at conducting in the last concert.
Join you local neighbourhood watch scheme
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