Wandsworth Philharmonic Tour 2024

Spain Tour 2024

Day 1  

On the morning of Monday 22nd July the Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra members and parents gathered at Burntwood School ready for the Spain Tour 2024. Once the van was loaded with instruments Olly and Matt were on their way. The children and staff left shortly after in two coaches. After a short stop at Cobham services we were on our way to Dover.  

After arriving in Calais we drove for a few hours before getting dinner at a French service station. After dinner we carried on driving through the night. 

Day 2 

After some sleep we woke up on Tuesday morning and we had crossed the border into Spain! We stopped off for some breakfast and then arrived at our hotel in Salamanca on Tuesday afternoon (about 26 hours after we left London!). After some leisure time by the pool the Orchestra had a short rehearsal before their evening meal at the hotel.  

Day 3 

After breakfast at the hotel we transferred by coach to Valladolid where we looked around the beautiful town and had lunch. The afternoon was spent bowling, which was great fun. We then drove to our first venue, Castillo de Tiedra. A castle on top of a hill. It was a spectacular setting for a concert. After dinner at a local restaurant it was time to get ready to perform. The Orchestra played a similar programme to the pre tour concert at All saints Church. It was a packed audience who clearly enjoyed the performance. Well done to Gloria and Abraham and Candace for their solo pieces. The Orchestra played extremely well under some tricky conditions (lots of wind, and fading light!).  

Day 4 

On Thursday morning everyone enjoyed some relaxing time by the pool. In the afternoon we took a short coach ride into Salamanca. It has a classic stunning Spanish town square, and the pupils were able to sightsee and have lunch whilst we were there. We then went to set up and rehearse for concert number two. The venue was Casino De Salamanca, an old casino! It was a really stunning building inside. The programme was slightly different from the first concert. The Orchestra played some of the larger classical works, but also some lighter music including Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean. Bravo to Rosie Bracken for her solo in Gabriel’s Oboe. The evening meal was in a local South American restaurant. After this we returned to the hotel for a well earned rest! 

Day 5 

On Friday the pupils went to a water park. It was another hot day in Spain, so I think everyone was glad to be able to be on the water slides or swimming. A big thank you to the Youth Council who’s fundraising efforts paid for the entire Orchestra’s entrance fee and lunch at the water park. Once everyone had dried off we went for dinner and then onto the third venue. Plaza de Toros, an old Bull Ring. I think Leo Krienke caught the mood perfectly ‘This is the best venue I have ever played at’! Again the Orchestra played amazingly to a very appreciative audience. On the journey home one of the tour traditions was kept alive as both coaches got to watch the Nigel Slater DVD! Your guess is as good as mine! 

Day 6 

After a chilled morning at the hotel we made our way to Salamanca for our last concert of the tour. There was more time to look around the historic town of Salamanca. The final concert was in Salamanca Cathedral Vieja. It was breathtaking building both inside and out. The Orchestra rose to the occasion and played with real energy. The Cathedral had an amazing acoustic. I think the last note from Pictures was still ringing around the Cathedral after we had returned to the hotel! The children could then celebrate four brilliant concerts at the last night party. Another tour tradition was kept alive with some spectacular dresses on show! The pupil leaving the Orchestra gave some lovely speeches and handed out lots of prizes to various members of the Orchestra. 

Day 7 and 8 

On Sunday morning it was time to check out of the hotel. And start our journey back home. When we arrived in London we set up a video call between the two coaches so that the leaving pupils could say one more goodbye to everyone. Some of the members of staff found they had water in their eyes!  

The Spain 2024 tour was a huge success. A massive congratulations to the children for four outstanding concerts. They played some really difficult music with real style and panache. And they also behaved impeccably, being real ambassadors for Wandsworth Music.