The first week of the summer holidays saw a 4.30am start for 47 pupils and nine staff, who gathered in Founder’s Court before boarding their coach to Heathrow. They were headed to Italy for the first music tour in several years, and excitement levels were high.
David McKee, Director of Music, reflects on an unforgettable tour to Italy:
We landed in Pisa with time to explore the city and get some lunch before heading to our hotel. After supper, we went up the Montecatini Funicular Railway, where the views were spectacular. After rehearsals in the hotel lobby (not too sure what the other guests thought), we retired for the evening after our early start.
The next day we went sightseeing in Florence, and some brave tour members ascended the dome of the cathedral. We were expecting Italy to be hot; however, none of us were prepared for the heatwave, with temperatures regularly above 42 degrees. Fortunately, our first concert in Empoli didn’t begin until 9pm, when the temperature had cooled.
Unlike some music tours, which are for specific groups, this visit was open to all, and a vast range of ensembles and musical styles were represented. In the breath-taking outdoor cloister of Chiostro degli Agostiniani, the audience was treated to performances from Chamber Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Tour Choir, Pop Choir, Big Band, and Rock Bands. The logistics for multigroup performances are complicated, especially with the equipment required for the bands. There was a well-oiled machine in operation, with everybody taking something in each hand, meaning the coach was loaded and unloaded in no time.
The next day saw a return to Florence with a visit to the Boboli Gardens, before our second concert in Lucca, which took place in a concert hall in the converted church of Chiesa Auditorium di San Romano.
Another warm reception from the audience made for a great atmosphere, and the groups began to enjoy the confidence in performance one gains from repeat repertoire.
David mckee, director of music
Back on the road on Thursday, we visited the cooler mountain air and the town of Volterra before heading to Pescia and our third concert performance. This concert took place in the Piazza del Grano. This was part of a concert series and, alongside the professional sound and light support, came a warm welcome from the president of the music society and the town mayor, accompanied by an enthusiastic audience. The groups were all really hitting their stride by this point, and some of the two most popular rock band numbers had additional instruments and performers added each evening, including strings, saxophones, backing singers, and dancers. Rapturous applause demanded an encore from the Tour Choir, meaning everybody finished the concert on stage, at which point presentations and gifts were given to soloists and performers by the town. Spirits were high after such a successful performance, and we returned to the hotel for our final night in Tuscany before heading towards Lake Garda.
Friday’s long coach journey was broken by a visit to Venice. Approached by boat, we were then treated to a tour of the city and the incredible San Marco Basilica. It was a day off musically for many members of the tour; however, the Chamber Choir were privileged to sing the Palestrina Missa Brevis for a Mass in the Chiesa Sant’Elena. The priests and congregation were incredibly welcoming and celebrated the service in both Italian and English. They also invited the choir to perform additionally before and after the service, making a special occasion for the group.
On boarding the coach again, we headed to our second hotel near Lake Garda. In the morning, a short journey took us to beautiful Sirmione and a boat trip around the peninsula. This spectacular excursion was hugely welcome, as was the change of weather and an abrupt downpour and thunderstorm. We moved on to Cremona as the sun reappeared and had a fascinating tour of the violin museum – home of Antonio Stradivari and the most famous and valuable violins and string instruments in the world.
We were giving our final mixed performance that same evening in the cloister of the town hall, right opposite the Duomo in the main square. This was part of a large music festival, and we were excited to see so many posters advertising our concert. Another fantastic meal (lasagna this time) in a local restaurant, and we then went to set up the equipment for the final time.
All our performances were well received, but this was the highlight. With all the groups performing again, there were hundreds of people in the audience, including several Charterhouse parents.
David mckee, director of music
As before, the evening opened with some of the more formal items, and energetic and vibrant playing of Vivaldi by the Chamber Orchestra. The Wind Ensemble followed with Beethoven, and the concert moved through the years to its jazz and pop repertoire. The audience responded warmly, and there was cheering and dancing throughout the evening. More encores followed, and this performance became a real highlight of the tour – one that will live in the memory for an exceedingly long time indeed.
Instruments were unloaded into the storeroom to be collected by our legendary van drivers early the next morning and taken back to the RVW before our flights.
The next day saw a sightseeing trip to wonderful fair Verona, and a choir-only concert in the beautiful Chiesa di Santa Maria Antica, following their Sunday morning Mass. Both the Tour Choir and the Chamber Choir performed in a short recital to great acclaim from the local congregation, joined again by some loyal parents of those on tour.
Visits to the Roman Arena and Juliet’s Balcony followed, before heading back to our hotel for our final evening. The First Year Specialists (Year 12) had prepared an awards ceremony, which led to much laughter and some fond and tearful farewells.
The six performances given throughout the tour were all wonderful, gaining energy and momentum and culminating in some phenomenal and very polished performances of music from all styles and genres.
David mckee, director of music
Harder to quantify, though, are the memories and friendships formed through the camaraderie of making music and travelling together, in what was an incredibly special week for Carthusians at their absolute best – memories and friendships that will surely last a lifetime.
