Kenilworth School students gain cultural experiences on Austria music tour

More than 50 students from Kenilworth School performed a series of concerts as part of a music tour in Austria.
Austria music tour by Kenilworth School studentsAustria music tour by Kenilworth School students
Austria music tour by Kenilworth School students

While on tour they performed at the Zell am See bandstand, the Bad Vigaun Spa-centre and at Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg.

Robert Thompson, a music teacher, said: “The purpose of this tour is not only to expose students to a variety of musical, historical, and culturally significant experiences, but also to provide them with the opportunity to perform to public audiences in a variety of unique locations outside of their normal experience as burgeoning musicians.”

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The student ensembles involved with the tour include the string orchestra, concert band, brass ensemble, Nota Bella Girls’ Choir, and the symphony orchestra.

Pupils from the music department at Kenilworth School performed two concerts, at Talisman Square and St Nicholas Church, in preparation for the tour.

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Video of Nota Bella Choir and Kenilworth School musicians

The Kenilworth Lions Club sponsored the shirts worn by the students during the trip.

Headteacher Hayden Abbott said: “I am always enthusiastic about opportunities to enable young people to experience other cultures.

Austria music tour by students at Kenilworth SchoolAustria music tour by students at Kenilworth School
Austria music tour by students at Kenilworth School
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“What was particularly enriching about this trip was that the focus was on enabling the students to enjoy the cultural experience of playing music in the city where Mozart was born.

“It was good for them to step outside their comfort zone and broaden their horizons by exploring Austria’s history and rich musical heritage.”

Mr Thompson added: "All of our pupils are absolutely outstanding. They are fantastic ambassadors for both Kenilworth School, and for young musicians alike. The Austrian public was extremely receptive and appreciative of our performances, often asking if we were a private school, an auditioned group, or a specialist music school.

"Despite a landslide blocking the road to the accommodation on the first night, the pupils showed great resilience, calmness, and unwavering positivity; a theme which continued throughout the week.

Kenilworth School Austria music tourKenilworth School Austria music tour
Kenilworth School Austria music tour
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"Music tours are a personal highlight from my childhood: the feeling of camaraderie and forging of new friendships across ages and groups, the exciting performance opportunities, and the shared memories they gave me.

"I'm so pleased that this opportunity has been passed onto a new generation of young musicians. I'm overwhelmed by the young people we teach; their incredible talent and attitude is a credit to themselves.

"I'm glad to be able to share such wonderful memories with them. Thank you for an unforgettable week; the result of tw years of commitment and hard work."