{"id":42634,"date":"2025-10-17T14:29:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T03:29:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/?post_type=article&p=42634"},"modified":"2025-10-17T14:29:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T03:29:22","slug":"european-music-tour-2025","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/article\/european-music-tour-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"European Music Tour 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year\u2019s 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<\/b>. Over the course of two memorable weeks, our choir shared music, friendship and resilience while performing in some of Europe\u2019s most inspiring venues.<\/p>\n

Our performances were warmly received everywhere; from the soaring acoustics of Salzburg Cathedral,<\/b>\u00a0to the warmth of Chlumec Cultural Hall,<\/b>\u00a0the grandeur of St Nicholas Church in Prague,<\/b>\u00a0and the welcoming audiences at Pest\u00fajhely Community House <\/b>and\u00a0Minoriten Church<\/b>\u00a0in Vienna\u2019s 1st District. Each concert shared joy and cultural connection.<\/p>\n

The tour also offered a wealth of educational and artistic experiences. Students participated in workshops with outstanding conductors,<\/b>\u00a0including esteemed figures from the Vienna Boys Choir<\/b>\u00a0and the Mozarteum<\/b>. A particular highlight was an evening at the Prague National Theatre<\/b>, where the group attended a Mozart opera<\/b>, Idomeneo, experiencing the music of one of history\u2019s greatest composers in his own city.<\/p>\n

Between rehearsals and concerts, the students explored Europe\u2019s charm, from the baroque streets of Vienna to the bridges of Budapest, and even enjoyed an exhilarating visit to a Viennese amusement park,<\/b>\u00a0proving that laughter and music make perfect travelling companions.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s most defining moments, a testament to the exceptional care, leadership and compassion<\/b>\u00a0shown by our tour staff; Liz Gilberthorpe, Sophie Grattan-Smith, James Larsen<\/strong> and Jamie Castrisos,<\/strong> who were magnificent. They worked tirelessly to monitor students, provide medication, adjust schedules and keep spirits high.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s WhatsApp messages from that morning \u2014 messages showing their dedication as they checked rooms, coordinated support and planned the safest path forward. Our tour operator, Geoff Hayes, <\/b>responded with a message that said it all:<\/p>\n

\u201cI love this commentary, what a team!
\nPS: Everyone is saying what a beautiful group\u2026
\nMLC School is making quite the impression around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another special element of this tour was our inclusion of a Torres Strait Islander hymn,<\/b>\u00a0arranged by our Head of Composition Alice Chance. <\/b>Earlier this year, Alice worked with Torres Strait musicians Kay and Noel<\/b>\u00a0for 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\u2019s cultural significance.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The students\u2019 respect, empathy and artistry<\/b>\u00a0shone 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.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to watch our students perform a Torres Straight Island hymn in Salzburg Cathedral.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to watch our students perform Mozart Sinfonia Concertante in St Nicholas Church Prague<\/p>\n

– Trevor Mee<\/a><\/i><\/strong>
\nDirector of Music<\/i><\/p>\n