Choir trip to South of France

[swarskicat]

My DD has just started year 8 and has come home from school today saying that she has been invited to go to the South of France in early December on tour with the girls choir.

She is the only year 8 girl invited, the rest are older - up to sixth form. She is thrilled and, whilst nervous to be the youngest, but I am really unsure!

Does anyone have experience of this type of thing and can reassure me?

My dd did this in June to Belgium. She was in year 12 but there were younger ones too. In her experience belonging to a group like this means different years mix quite well, they have a common interest. She had friends throughout the group. She was very upset that anyone under 18 was sent off to bed at a certain times whilst the older ones/ teachers sat up late into the night! They did a bit of sightseeing and performed about five times, it was very successful. Does she have some friends in the choir, do you like and trust the music teachers?

Much experience swarsikat!

Both my girls have done chamber choir tours ( it's a girls school) DD1 from year 9 , dd2 from year 8 ( and didn't she rub it in at home LOL). In theory chamber choir is GCSE and up so very few younger girls ( DD2 had a year 8 go with her- the 2 of them are " frenemenies" and fight to be top in everything esp music LOL). They go every 2 yrs.

Aswell as being well able to do the music ( as your DD must be) the girls were very grown up in attitude and independence so it didn't bother them being away etc

I presume it's an organised tour with a tour operator?

During non rehearsal time (or non organised meals) they went off in groups of min 3 for significant periods of time. Your DD needs to be a bit able to look after herself and pop into shops /buy stuff ( minimal language skills, much pointing and gesturing re pizza slices etc). We are in a city and it was easier/safer than mooching locally though!

It'll be brilliant fun. I did it as a kid and have so many happy ( and slightly scary) memories (bugs in chalets, jelly fish stings etc)

You will be poor ! (especially if you foolishly have several kids wanting to do this, we've had school choir, cathedral choir, symphony orchestra etc touring at various times averaging at least one a year for about 10yrs! )

This year DD2 is doing leipzig with cathedral ( sadly clashing with Italy for county wind band or she's be doing 2 tours!). The big kids are doing Nuremburg at New Year with their choir too! I hope they can fund themselves- both at uni)

Not choir but school bands, DD went in Y7 as the only Y7 and DS1 first went in Y8. They were school organised tours but the staff are very, very experienced at them.

Second the being poor, all 3 have an invitation to go next year, DS2 has just gone into Y7 and is thrilled.

I did something similar xx years ago with school orchestra in Belgium. All year groups, and we had a fantastic time. Having a common interest really helps.

Thanks, those answers are very reassuring. None of her friends got through the audition, but she does know 2 of the year 9's from guides. We have to decide by tomorrow - and at £645 for the 7 day tour, we will certainly be poorer!

I'd let her go - she will have a ball.

My DD went on tour with the Cathedral to northern France, the youngest who went were 10 and the oldest 18, they went in minimium of 3s when they had free time.
DD also went when in year 8 on the school exchange to France, they all mixed across the years. She became quite friendly with some girls in sixth form. Older years in my experience (certainly those allowed on things like this) tend to look after the younger ones if necessary.

My son went, when in Year 8, on a choir trip to Germany. Most of the remainder were sixth formers ( choir being compulsory for those taking music A level but voluntary for everyone else!) Despite having Aspergers and being a bit of a difficult child(!) he had a great time.