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The next morning we got down to some serious music. After
first rehearsing some upbeat, well known instrumental music,
followed by more singing, we all bounded into lunch for some
more excellent food. The afternoon saw our first activity. We
went kayaking, and despite the miserable weather, we all had
a great time. Initial concerns about getting wet were cast
aside once we were moving and by the end of the activity,
everyone was in the lake, laughing their heads off. Once
again our competitive sides were revealed as we played on
(and off) shore games. The water fight that broke out in the
middle of Lake Windermere, was probably a highlight for
everyone involved.
We then returned back to Glaramara and once showered,
warm and dry again, we had two hours to prepare for what
was inevitably going to be the highlight of the trip – the
cabaret! There was not a room free in the centre, with groups
rehearsing for the performance to come, and although we
were lucky enough to have a piano to practice on, it provided
us with some interesting out-of-tune notes that we weren’t
aware existed!
The air was crackling with excitement in the evening as
cabaret was due to begin. Hosted once again by Ollie Mills,
along with some ‘special guests’, everyone was awaiting in
apprehension at what musical (or non-musical!) features
would hit them during the evening. The biggest hit was, as
always, the staff ensemble, which had everyone in fits of
laughter. Everybody was a part of the cabaret in some way
and we all had a great evening, laughing at ourselves and
others alike! This well-humoured night is always truly
memorable and this year’s was no different. The event drew
to a close with an emotional finish as the Upper Sixth realised
that they were on their last tour with the music family of SGS,
but we all pulled through and started the Macarena in the
living room, Glee style, to take our minds off it!
With tired heads, we went to bed with thoughts of our last day
approaching. We woke, had breakfast and set out on our last
activity. We gorge walked, which involved climbing a river in
huge teddy-bear suits, and it is safe to say that it was definitely
refreshing. If we hadn’t already been fully awake, we
certainly were after that! Sliding down the flow and
clambering through a tunnel, put a lot of us in an
uncomfortable situation, but we all managed to conquer
something that day and we returned back to the centre in high
spirits for the performance to follow.
With the technical expertise of Mr. Flaherty and Mr. White,
we were lucky enough to be able to record our performances
on the final day. Splitting into wind and strings sections, we
jazzed away to a ‘Blues Brothers Medley’, while the strings
thoroughly enjoyed their rendition of ‘The Girl from
Ipanema’. More singing followed, with ‘Uptown Girl’ and a
Beatles Medley being the boys’ hits, whilst the girls embarked
on a gorgeous rhyming round all about a fictional life of
Mozart on a go-kart in ‘A la Karte’. Finally, we all came
together for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. The music recorded was
put on a CD which was given to every member of the music
tour ‘family’ for them to take home and listen to.
With the performance over, it started to rain, as always seems
to be the case when we need to pack up the coach, and we
departed the centre for another year, enjoying the coach ride
home. The music still didn’t stop, with another rendition of
all the songs sung and learnt over the past three days and with
many tired voices we can safely say that this year’s music tour
was yet another busy trip and a great success.
This amazing trip would never have happened without a
committed group of teachers, who are not only great support
for everyone, but also great fun too. Many thanks go to Mr
Flaherty, Mr White, Dr Glarvey (a new valuable member of
the tour family), Mr Dow and of course Mrs Taylor, without
whom this trip would not have been possible.
Zoe Harris (L8) and Rosie Broadbent (L8)
Music, Drama and Art 71