Written by Mr Pirttijarvi, Director of Music

Day 1

On the Friday before half term, 37 pupils and five members of staff awoke especially early to meet the coach that would take us to Paris on the first music tour since 2018. We departed at 5.00am with luggage and instruments in stow, and everyone managed to catch up on some sleep before we stopped at Beaconsfield Services at around 7.30am. As ever, College pupils never miss the opportunity for food, and KFC was a popular choice amongst the Fifth Form and Lower Sixth (yes, at 7.30am…). We were on time for our 11:30am ferry from Dover, and enjoyed a short cruise across the Channel, arriving in Calais just after 2.00pm. The journey continued to our accommodation at Paris FAIP Jean Monnet, south of the centre. We arrived at around 8.00pm and had dinner before checking in.

Day 2

Following a continental breakfast, we transferred to the Jardin du Luxembourg for our first band performance in the outdoor bandstand. We were able to setup in good time and the soundcheck/rehearsal quickly became the first set of our performance. We then performed a second shorter set, featuring Otto on vocals for Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’. After packing up, we transferred to Le Louvre for independent lunch in the attached mall and a visit to the famous museum for a few hours. Many pupils sought about getting their picture with the Mona Lisa. We were picked up by the coach and taken to the Galeries Lafayette for shopping and free time. We returned to the FIAP for dinner, and the Upper Sixth went with Mr Pirttijarvi to sample the crêpes in a local restaurant.

Day 3

A slightly later start was enjoyed by all, and we then travelled to Notre-Dame de Paris to attend Mass. This was particularly special as the building has only recently reopened following the fire in 2019. Following the service, our guide gave us a walking tour of the exterior of the cathedral before leading us to the Latin Quarter, where we had free time for lunch and shopping. We returned to the FIAP to get changed for dinner in a local restaurant before setting up for our second performance in the foyer of the FIAP. The band played a shorter set, and the choir sang three items. We were then treated to small group performances by Sophia, Ceci, and Ellen, Michael and Felix, Maisy and Otto, and Lower Sixth band RockHeart.

Day 4

We checked out of the FIAP after breakfast and travelled to the Trocadéro for some classic Eiffel tower photos. We continued to the Bateaux Mouches river boat trip, which included views of historic sights including the Eiffel Tower, the Conciergerie, Musée d’Orsay and Notre-Dame de Paris. Following the river trip, we transferred to the Arc de Triomphe for free time and lunch before moving onto La Madaleine, our final performance venue. Modelled after a Greek temple, La Madaleine is one of the most famous of all the Paris churches. The Tour Choir sang a varied programme of English and continental European music including pieces by Fauré, Howells, Rutter, and Mozart. We had a great audience (100+) which included some parents who had travelled to Paris to support the tour. After the concert, we transferred to our new hotel in Marne-la-Vallée, close to our final destination… Disneyland Paris!

Day 5

There was much excitement in the air over breakfast. We arrived at Disneyland Paris at around 10.00am, and pupils quickly scattered in groups to undertake their Disney plans! Some managed to go on every ride, others just enjoyed taking in the sights. We reconvened at 8.45pm for the incredible evening firework and light show before returning to our hotel.

Day 6

An early departure to begin our return journey via the same route as on Friday. We dropped some pupils off at Beaconsfield Services and returned to Cheltenham at around 7.30pm, Disney souvenirs in hand! Thank you to the staff who accompanied the trip: Mr Ffinch, Mrs Leach, Mrs Clarke, and a special thank you to Mr Fox for leading all aspects of the tour, from planning to delivery and daily logistics.