'Mostly I remember the smiles, the laughter and the experience our youngsters got from performing in the most beautiful locations'

In the second part of our interview with Helena McKillop, Director of Music at The Peterborough School, she shares more of her school music tour experiences.

What have been the highlights of your many music tours?

“There were so many. Mostly I remember the smiles, the laughter and the experience our youngsters got from performing in the most beautiful locations.”

Is there a touring history at your present school?

“Not much concert touring history here, however with lots of persuasion, enthusiastic and knowledgeable presentations supported by Club Europe we managed to get people on board. We started with six interested in September and now have 27. Never give up trying to recruit. Individual phone calls and emails to parents helped too. This Autumn we’re touring in Malta. I sold them this tour on the fact that the cathedrals and churches were stunning venues, combined with sunshine and a very nice hotel.”

What are you looking forward to most about this Autumn’s tour?

“Spending time with the pupils outside of the school environment and getting to know more about them as individuals.”

Are you already planning your next tour?

“I’m already thinking of our next tour, I’m not sure where yet though. I have always done one tour a year but every school is different. It’s important to work with the other departments and see what other trips parents are having to pay for. It may be worth talking to other HoDs (PE in particular) to see what school trips are planned. It may mean negotiating a tour every other year so that parents can afford to send children on the ski trip as well as the concert tour. We did consider a ski concert tour but it never came to fruition. Maybe next year!”

Click on the links to see Helena’s top ten tips for touring or for more details of our Malta school music tours and all our school music trip destinations.

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