Just after the end of summer term, 50 young musicians from the Trinity Symphony Orchestra, departed for a five-night tour in Prague, performing in three concerts to packed-out and appreciative audiences and taking in the sights of the city. The students ranged from 13 to 18 years old, and for some this was their first musical tour, and a big adventure!
The group visited: the Estates Theatre, where Mozart conducted the premiere of his famous opera Don Giovanni; Prague Castle; the Charles Bridge which connects the Old and New Town and is a vibrant area with street artists and entertainers; enjoyed an evening river cruise for a unique view of the city; and the final day was spent at a huge water park.
Mr Persinaru, Head of Strings, led the trip and says, “The orchestra members were an amazing group, where age didn’t matter. Senior students helped take responsibility for those younger, and the groups were very mixed. Everyone helped each other to learn throughout the trip, as well as enjoying each other’s company. We had a busy schedule, and the brilliant staff team made sure everyone was in the right place at the right time.”
Three students share their highlights of the trip.
Upper Sixth student Arthur says, “Performing to sold-out audiences in prestigious venues and exploring the beautiful city of Prague made the tour an unforgettable experience. The concerts were challenging due to the complexity of the pieces and the acoustics in the large spaces, but fortunately we were well-prepared thanks to the brilliant teaching at Trinity. In fact, my love of music started here, as I joined with zero musical experience, decided to take the taster lessons on offer, and within a few years was able to play on this tour. It was an amazing experience that has encouraged me to continue playing.”
Third Year Georges reports, “In July 2024, I was fortunate to be part of an orchestral tour to Prague. After arriving in Prague and meeting our energetic local guide, we headed to our hotel. Unfortunately, I mistakenly walked into the wrong hotel, which took me longer to figure out than I’d like to admit!
The next day, we visited the Estates Theatre, where Mozart premiered several operas and some scenes from the movie Amadeus were filmed. The beauty and history of the opera house were truly inspiring.
When ‘concert time’ arrived, we were surprised to find the venue, Hlahol Hall, full – a shift from previous tours. Although this was daunting, we performed exceptionally well. Dinner at U Fleku restaurant, with its traditional Czech ambience, was a highlight of that evening.
On the following day, we went to Petrin Park. With a long queue for the funicular, Mr Evans led some of us on a hike up the hill, just in time to meet the arriving group. While some climbed the tower, others explored the mirror maze, which I found somewhat underwhelming, and I wonder if the title ‘maze’ is even appropriate!
After a coach journey to our next concert location, Konojedy Castle, we faced an unexpected power cut at the start of our performance, relying on lightning for light. This created an eerie atmosphere which I found really cool. We managed to play on.
Fortunately, our final concert, at St Nicholas Church, was our best of the tour. We also enjoyed a guided tour of Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral, delving into the city’s fascinating history. Dinner on a river cruise provided a beautiful view of Prague by night.
The trip concluded with packing and a fun four-hour visit to a water park before the worst part of the trip: returning to England. I truly enjoyed learning about Prague and hope to embark on similar adventures in the future!”
Zain was last year’s Music Captain and Steinway Scholar; this was his final trip before leaving Trinity. He said, “After landing in Prague, we were greeted by our wonderful tour guide, Sara, who I’m sure left a big impression on all of us! Once we had taken the coach into the city, I was struck by how vibrant the colours of the architecture were.
Although this was a ‘music’ trip, we managed to see the views of Prague, running on a tight schedule each day. We visited many huge landmarks and it’s safe to say many of us will want to travel here again to explore more of this stunning city.
The concerts were held in breathtaking venues and left me with memories that will last a lifetime. We received standing ovations in all three of our concerts, which was so rewarding as it shows our effort and dedication throughout the last year was all worth it.
Although some parts of the trip were stressful, all the teachers who accompanied us were helpful in guiding us and making sure we knew what was going on. Without Mr Persinaru’s dedication to planning and the support of the staff, this trip wouldn’t have been possible. I’m very grateful that I had this as one of my last opportunities with Trinity’s Music Department.”
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