Orchestras on tour

After five days of touring in Normandy, the West Sussex Youth Orchestras returned to England with a host of incredible memories. 

The students from the Youth Orchestra and Youth Wind Orchestra went on tour from Wednesday 23 to Sunday 27 July.  

They did a lot of sightseeing, enjoyed plenty of French food and fully immersed themselves in the culture of the area. 

The orchestras gave three performances, including one at a magical evening at Chateau Canon where the young people performed at the Soiree Luminee, followed by the opportunity to roast marshmallows as the sun set. 

On another of the days the ensembles performed as part of the summer music festival Promenades Musicales de Pays d’Auge and then had the opportunity to listen to the Trio Helios concert. 

John Randall, Music Centres Manager at West Sussex Music, helped organise and run the tour. He said,  

“The tour is a real highlight for our students, and we know how much they all look forward to it. The three performances in Normandy were real highlights and for all of us staff we felt so proud of the students watching them play in front of these new audiences.” 

Amongst the performances there was also plenty of time to explore, including a sombre visit to the D-Day landing beaches at Arromanches-les-Bains, dinner at Brasserie des Halles, a restaurant overlooking the medieval hall in central St Pierre en Auge and the chance to ride on a bobsleigh at an activity centre, as well as much more. 

For the duration of the tour senior members of the Orchestra took over West Sussex Music’s social media, sharing snaps, videos and insights into their days away.  

To join West Sussex Youth Orchestras and be part of the next adventure go here for more information.