German Tour Album

Report on the German Concert Tour
(See Pictures Below)

After giving an outstanding performance at the Rotary Club of Congleton's Annual Concert on Saturday 31st March, the Congleton Youth Orchestra barely had time to catch its breath before it was time to assemble at the West Street Car Park at Midnight on Sunday to board the coach for their Concert Tour of German. Some 40 musicians and 9 officials made up the party which set out to catch the early morning ferry from Dover to Calais.

From Calais they journeyed through France and Belgium until they reached their destination which was the Hotel Bad Wildstein in the picturesque town of Traben-Trarbach which is situated in the beautiful Moselle River valley in Germany.

After an evening meal and a good nights sleep, the next morning was spent exploring the nearby town of Reichsburg Cochem and a visit to the Burgzall Castle which overlooks the Moselle River valley. To reach the Castle a very steep twenty minute walk was necessary, but finally all the older members of the party succeeded in making it, although in some cases it was touch and go !
They then returned to the hotel to prepare for the concert that evening at nearby Zellingen Rachtig where the orchestra performed excellently in front of a very appreciative audience which included representatives from the local Youth Orchestra.

After a leisurely start the next morning they proceeded to Kurpark Bad Neuenahr for a 3pm concert in a beautiful public park setting.  They performed in a glass sided concert hall and once again the Orchestra did itself proud with approximately 150 people thoroughly enjoying themselves.  The concert was scheduled for 60 minutes but such was the appreciation of the audience that they were asked to perform for a further 30 minutes. Then it was back to the hotel where, after the evening meal, a disco had been arranged so that the happy band of musicians could let their hair down .

On Thursday, the day was devoted to sight-seeing with a visit to Siegfreid’s Mechanical Museum, which is a musical clockwork museum full of fascinating exhibits, followed by  a boat trip on the River Rhine from Rudesheim to Bacharach.  After an early evening meal they left their hotel for the final concert at Grosser Kursaal, Bad Bertrich at 7.30pm
Once again the concert hall facilities were first class and the hotel and garden settings were superb.  The performance the Orchestra gave was probably the best of the three and they finished to a standing ovation.

At the end, the Musical Director Eddie Garrard was presented with a framed momento of the occasion which he happily received on behalf of the Congleton Youth Orchestra.  Then once again it was back to the hotel to prepare for an early morning start for the long journey back to Congleton and home.

Throughout the tour the Orchestra excelled itself and it is fair to say they did themselves, the Orchestra and the Borough of Congleton proud.

From this tour they will have gained a great deal in experience and confidence, and it also provided the opportunity for the members to strengthen their team bonds.  It is also hoped it will attract new members when, through the Orchestra’s website, it can be seen what has been achieved.

Thanks must go to the Trustees and Executive Committee of the Congleton Youth Orchestra for supporting this first venture into Europe, and also those who supported it financially, namely:- Congleton Town Council; Congleton Inclosure Trust; Congleton Town Trust;  Congleton Young People’s Trust; Congleton Twinning Committee; Congleton Carnival Committee and the Eastern Cheshire NHS Primary Care Trust.

Thanks also to those officials who travelled with the Orchestra and to Trustee Douglas Parker and Social Secretary Karen Meech for their work in organising and overseeing the tour, and last but by no means least, Bostock’s Coach Driver Barry Bailey who was so helpful and supportive during the tour, attending all the concerts with such enthusiasm and whose excellent driving skills made all the travelling a total pleasure.