Belgium Trip

Wednesday, 26 June 2013

Final day in Belgium

Today was our last day in Belgium and we a now safely aboard the P&O crossing to Hull, England.

We got up and had breakfast, and loaded the bus quickly to get to the fun treat at the end of our busy concert season! As we approached the Bellewaerde Theme Park we saw the resting place of many brave young soldiers who battled in the area. Many of our pupils on the music tour have been to view the trenches in this area with the history department.

However, once we passed the trenches entrance, the next stop was the Theme Park. Lots of students from different schools were visiting the Park and all involved had a fun-filled day full of new experiences and adventures. The staff even ventured into the park and sampled some of the roller coaster rides, including the water rides!

At 3.30pm everyone hopped on the bus and we arrived in Rotterdam day to board our ferry. The food and accommodation on the P&O crossing is excellent and I'm sure we will sleep well tonight
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We are due to arrive in hull at 7am tomorrow morning, with a departure time of 7.45am for passengers. All is going according to schedule, and we will see you all in Edinburgh tomorrow afternoon all being well.

Thanks for your continual support.

Music tour team!

(I will upload pictures tomorrow, and perhaps create a Dropbox for the pupils to share pictures!)

Tuesday, 25 June 2013

JGHS Music Tour: Blankenberg Band Stand

Today we awoke early and got everything packed on the bus to go off to Blankenberg for our second and final concert of the tour. once arriving at the band stand, all the instruments were assembled on the bandstand and we were able to put some chairs at the front for people to sit on during the performances.

The Pipe Band kicked off the second concert and drew a large crowd around the bandstand. We followed on with the remainder of the programme ending with the theme tune of Mission Impossible.

The pupils were well received, and as a treat we went to the beach to eat our hard-earned lunch!

On our return to Gent we quickly changed and assembled at the Castle of the Counts. This is one of Gent's most famous historic attractions.

After touring the castle the staff and pupils had some spare time to roam the cobbled streets of Gent, buying Belgium chocolates among other souvenirs.

Below are some pictures of the pupils today:

Monday, 24 June 2013

Concert in St. Michael's Kirk, Gent

Today in Gent the JGHS Pipe Band were able to drum up some support for our first concert in the Kirk!

It was a very successful concert and the pupils were well received by the audience.

This evening we arrived at the hostel and had our dinner before going on a canal cruise. The driver was able to point out historical buildings and tell us interesting facts about the city.

Sunday, 23 June 2013

The Journey Begins!

JGHS Music tour is off to a great start!

We had a lovely journey down south to Newcastle stopping for a comfort break and lunch at Berwick-upon-tweed. We arrived at Newcastle at 1500hrs and boarding the ferry with no problems. Now everyone has been fed and watered they have a few minutes to spend exploring the ship till bed-time at 2300hrs.

Stayed tuned for further updates!

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Belgium Trip: Farewell Concert Rehearsals - FULL ATTENDANCE

As you may know, we are taking 43 pupils on tour to Belgium to perform two concerts – one in Ghent and another in Blankenberge.

We will be holding a Farewell Concert for all parents and carers next Wednesday 19th June in the hall from 7.00 – 8.30pm at the latest.

You are all most welcome to come along to this and hear items from the wind ensemble, string ensemble, guitar ensemble, pipe band, vocal group, brass quartet, lower string quartet and Gaelic vocal group. The concert is free.

We will need to have rehearsals during the day for this concert over periods 3 – 6.

Period 3:

11.10am: String ensemble & bass/cello quartet

12.00pm: String ensemble & vocal group (Viva la Vida)

Period 4:

12.15 : Vocal Group/Gaelic Quartet

12.45: Vocal Group & Guitar ensemble

Period 5:

1.45: Guitar ensemble

2.15: Pipe Band

Period 6:

2.45pm: Wind Ensemble & Brass Ensemble