European Music Tour 2025
This year’s European Music Tour was an extraordinary adventure that took our students through some of the most culturally rich cities in the world: Salzburg, Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. Over the course of two memorable weeks, our choir shared music, friendship and resilience while performing in some of Europe’s most inspiring venues.
Our performances were warmly received everywhere; from the soaring acoustics of Salzburg Cathedral, to the warmth of Chlumec Cultural Hall, the grandeur of St Nicholas Church in Prague, and the welcoming audiences at Pestújhely Community House and Minoriten Church in Vienna’s 1st District. Each concert shared joy and cultural connection.
The tour also offered a wealth of educational and artistic experiences. Students participated in workshops with outstanding conductors, including esteemed figures from the Vienna Boys Choir and the Mozarteum. A particular highlight was an evening at the Prague National Theatre, where the group attended a Mozart opera, Idomeneo, experiencing the music of one of history’s greatest composers in his own city.
Between rehearsals and concerts, the students explored Europe’s charm, from the baroque streets of Vienna to the bridges of Budapest, and even enjoyed an exhilarating visit to a Viennese amusement park, proving that laughter and music make perfect travelling companions.
The tour was not without its challenges. Midway through the journey, a wave of illness swept through the group, leaving many students unwell for several days. Yet what could have been a difficult time became one of the tour’s most defining moments, a testament to the exceptional care, leadership and compassion shown by our tour staff; Liz Gilberthorpe, Sophie Grattan-Smith, James Larsen and Jamie Castrisos, who were magnificent. They worked tirelessly to monitor students, provide medication, adjust schedules and keep spirits high.
One evening, on the bus returning from dinner, I felt it was important for the students to understand the depth of that care. I read aloud some of the staff’s WhatsApp messages from that morning — messages showing their dedication as they checked rooms, coordinated support and planned the safest path forward. Our tour operator, Geoff Hayes, responded with a message that said it all:
“I love this commentary, what a team!
PS: Everyone is saying what a beautiful group…
MLC School is making quite the impression around the world.”
Another special element of this tour was our inclusion of a Torres Strait Islander hymn, arranged by our Head of Composition Alice Chance. Earlier this year, Alice worked with Torres Strait musicians Kay and Noel for a Sydney Philharmonia Choir concert, and she suggested we share this piece as part of our international performances. We were fortunate to have Kay and Noel visit our choir before departure to guide us in understanding the song’s cultural significance.
We performed this hymn at the end of each concert and workshop, a musical gift both to our audiences and to the musicians we collaborated with. In doing so, we carried a piece of our region with us, blending our unique Australian voice with the centuries old European traditions we encountered.
The students’ respect, empathy and artistry shone throughout the tour. Their warmth toward one another, their care in sharing Indigenous culture, and their willingness to perform through challenges should be a source of pride for them and their parents.
Click here to watch our students perform a Torres Straight Island hymn in Salzburg Cathedral.
Click here to watch our students perform Mozart Sinfonia Concertante in St Nicholas Church Prague
– Trevor Mee
Director of Music
