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SATURDAY 24^th OCTOBER 2009

Stonyhurst Big Band met at 6.45am on Saturday morning, unfortunately losing Lucia at the Health Check Hurdle. Cases and Instruments were duly loaded onto the coach and we set off through the pouring rain (a feature of this first day) to France.

A long journey passed relatively quickly due to some well placed games of ‘post-it who am I’, a well stocked Big Band Tuck Shop and daring trips to the on-board lavatory. We finally made it to Dover (still raining).

Our first band meal (thanks to our sponsors) was on the ferry and the crossing was quite calm (though Elizabeth Robinson didn’t think so). Once in France we journeyed through the pouring rain to the south of Paris where we reached our accommodation – Campus St. Therese. After a packed supper provided by the centre members of the band retired to our top floor accommodation and prayed for blue skies and sun!

SUNDAY 25^TH OCTOBER 2009

Blue skies and sun! After a hearty breakfast we set off in band uniform for the centre of Paris. We set up the band on the bandstand (no roof!) in Jean XXIII gardens at the rear of Notre Dame Cathedral. Members of the band then went on the hunt for food in the many bars and cafes open so early on a Sunday morning. We met again for Mass in the Cathedral at 11.00. After Mass we played in the gardens to an appreciative crowd of several hundred in the warm autumn sunshine! Mr. Mann and Mr. Sharples wooed the crowd with their command of the English and French language (respectively!)

No rest for the wicked though. All the instruments were packed back onto the coach for the short journey to the Eiffel Tower, where we set up on the banks of the Seine, playing this time to over a thousand people milling along the banks of the river, taking boat trips, standing on the bridge or sitting at a café. A most appreciative audience. After the concert we took an evening boat trip along the Seine, finishing with an excellent view of the Eiffel tower, lit up and sparkling to celebrate its 120^th year. We returned to Campus St Therese for our evening meal  and once again prayed for cloudless skies and sunshine.

MONDAY 26^th OCTOBER 2009

Cloudless Skies and Sunshine! Once again in band uniform we set off after breakfast for Disneyland Resort Paris, but no grand entrance down the long drive with the pink castle in the distance, welcomed by Mickey, Goofy and Donald themselves, oh no, we entered by the stage door, gaining a real insight into just what an enormous concern this place is and how many hundreds of behind -the -scenes staff there are. We were taken to the stage, set up, had a sound and lights check, and were then given an hour to explore the park before we performed. Pupils went to find the white knuckle rides, the staff went to find the café!

The concert was well attended and for many of the pupils the highlight of the tour. The staff were very helpful and the whole event was extremely well organised. After the concert we all went on the Thunder Mountain Ride and retired (shaking) to one of the many restaurants where we all had lunch together. The rest of the day was given over to exploring the park, watching the Disney Parade and going on as many rides as possible!

We returned to the accommodation for prize giving and quiz night – everyone’s a winner! Then off to pack and an early night for all.

TUESDAY 27^th OCTOBER 2009

After a hearty breakfast we set off back to England – the long journey passing relatively quickly through over use of the on-board DVD player! We also had time to reflect on a very successful tour, during which a band of pupils and staff had become a group of good friends, looking forward to the next tour!

Mr Greg Mann, Director of Music