Choir Tour to Remember

This year’s choir tour saw ETS and Chamber Choir perform at three magnificent venues: Temple at Tibidabo, Barcelona Cathedral and Saint Gaieta Church in the city centre. Their impressive program of music that celebrated British choral composers included anthems by Holst, Vaughan Williams, Rutter, Parry and more. The choirs sang beautifully with style and professionalism impressing all who attended. Tourists and locals alike commented on their beautiful sound and poise. A special mention must go to pupils who contributed instrumental solos in addition to singing in the choirs; Alejandro GB (Second Year) performed a stunning piano solo, Alfred D (Third Year) performed solo sections on flute in one of the lovely anthems sung by ETS. There is great joy for each singer (and their conductors and organist) in performing in such inspiring venues. The acoustics, although challenging, allow the music rehearsed in school to come alive- reverberating around the spaces and providing a beautiful, blended sound. Many parents also attended the performances, as per the choir tour tradition. They were highly impressed by the standard of ETS and Chamber Choir and many were moved by the music they produced.  

The tour, as always, did not just feature musical performances. The first evening was Flamenco and Tapas night and it was a true celebration of Spanish culture. Singers settled into the Los Tarantos music club for a jaw-dropping demonstration of Flamenco music and dance, everyone was captured by the complex rhythms and physical demands of this striking and highly artistic tradition. They enjoyed a generous and delicious feast of Tapas and it was wonderful to see our singers enjoying local delicacies and flavours.  

Our choirs stayed in the city centre and enjoyed the modern boutique hotel of Barcelona House Hotel. From this base, they were able to enjoy the city which included seeing several local festivals and carnivals. By the cathedral, there were giant figurines that were part of the sacred festival that day- an eye-opening display of local culture and religious tradition. Using the local metro became second nature and this enabled a visit on the final evening, to a karaoke night. This brought huge joy and delight to the singers who had performed so well in the preceding days. It was wonderful to hear them switch into full rock mode and rather satisfying to hear them singing perhaps, the most in-tune and pitch perfect Karaoke ever heard, complete with harmonies! This reiterated the talent and skill of each singer on tour- and also, their passion for all styles singing. Huge congratulations must go to all who took part in this musical and cultural adventure and particular mention must go to our Year 6 Prep school pupils- a hugely impressive achievement.