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THURSDAY
On the morning of Thursday 10 February, 42 pupils and 5 staff left Derbyshire to travel across to Dublin for a 4-day music tour. We made a rather slow journey over to Holyhead where we boarded the ferry for what was a smooth crossing. Children passed the time by buying souvenirs, going out on deck and playing on the arcade machines.
From the port, it was a short drive by the side of the River Liffey to Jacob's Inn, our hotel for the duration of the stay.
We checked in, and made our way down the road to O'Sheas, a local restaurant, where we would have dinner each evening.
Everyone was exhausted after a day's travel, but the real business was yet to kick-off. After a quick meeting, the tour party made their way to bed.
FRIDAY
We woke early and tucked into cereal and toast for breakfast, before travelling by coach to Grafton Street, one of the main shopping areas in Dublin. Having established a meeting point, the pupils were allowed off in school groups of one hour of retail therapy. An array of souvenirs were bought - leprechaun hats, presents for parents and sweets (of course).
The most bizarre of conversations took place in an Irish gift shop -
S Anselm's Pupil (to security guard): Excuse me, but I don't suppose, by any chance, you sell inflatable hammers?
Security Guard (with a soft Irish lilt): Of course we do. (Moments later, an inflatable hammer appears...)
More worrying was the conversation between the same pupil and Mr Marples -
Mr Marples: What exactly are you going to do with that?
S Anselm's Pupil: Oh, sir, you really don't want to know...
After the shopping trip, we made our way to St Patrick's Cathedral for a lunchtime recital. After a brief rehearsal, the Chaper Choir, Chamber Orchestra, String Quartet and soloists all performed to a high level in the most beautiful surrounds and acoustic (click below for some audio samples).
Click here to hear the Chapel Choir singing "For the Beauty of the Earth"
Click here to hear the Chamber Orchestra play "The Planets Suite"
Click here to see a video of the Chamber Orchestra playing "The Planets Suite"
Click here to hear the String Quartet play part of "Jamaican Suite"
We then travelled to the Gaelic Games Experience, where the pupils (and some staff) had a go at Gaelic Football, Hurling and Handball, as well as a little bit of Irish Dancing. Everyone threw themselves into the activities, despite a short Irish shower, and were exhausted by the end.
We travelled back to the hotel and went down to O'Sheas for our evening meal, before an early night ready for another busy day on Saturday.
SATURDAY
We had a more lazy and relaxed start on the Saturday morning, which was lucky since an Italian under-13 rugby team had arrived at the hotel. From the looks of the group, they can probably field about 5 teams, including substitutes, and they are playing Black Rock College later today, before presumably seeing their professional, international idols get beaten by England. Their arrival provides a lovely contrast to our group, who spent Saturday afternoon singing Choral Evensong at St Patrick's Cathedral.
Once breakfast was over, we boarded the coach and made our way to St Stephen's Green, where a large group of parents met us, ready for the Viking Splash Tour. This was an amusing tour round Dublin, feature Viking helmets, plenty of roaring, and some very poor jokes from the driver! Among the sites seen were the recording studios of U2, Trinity College and the River Liffey. As the three vehicles arrived back at St Stephen's Green, the parents took charge of the children, taking them off for lunch and some free time.
We all met up back at St Patrick's Cathedral, ready for a rehearsal and then Choral Evensong. The Chapel Choir surpassed even my expectations, singing the service beautifully from start to finish, and with the precision and accuracy that many Cathedral Choirs would be enviable of.
Back at the hotel, we changed quickly, ready for our final meal of the tour.
We had a debrief back at the hotel, and some pupils were collected by their parents. Most children packed most of their belongings and when heads hit the pillows, they were out for the count ... until 6am Sunday, that is!
SUNDAY
The 6am wake up call was not appreciated by all. On knocking on the year 8s girls room, the door was opened by a girl who didn't even manag to open her eyes! Somehow, by 6.45, the coach was packed and all pupils on board and we made our way to Dublin Port for the return ferry. With only 20 pupils remaining for the return trip, it was a slightly quieter affair, and we made excellent time, arriving back at school just after 4 pm.
All in all, the tour was musically a huge success. Chamber Orchester, Chapel Choir, soloists and String Orchestra all performed brilliant. Andrew Marples, as ever, accompanied sensitively on both piano and organ.
The staff were inundated by compliments from members of the public - at the restauirant, on the ferry, in the cathedral - the name of S Anselm's really was spread in a positive way across the capital of Ireland.
It was an odd tour staff-wise: Mrs Weller, Mr Watt and Miss Weatherley were all rather poorly, but soldiered on as best they could, with Mr Northcott stepping in to support and assist.
Thank you to all the parents for their amazing support - it was so nice to see you all over there.
And finally - the pupils ... thank you, and well done. You were a real pleasure to spend time with and great musicians, every one of you. It's been hard work putting this all together, but I hope that, when the colds are better and you've caught up on the sleep, you'll remember Dublin 2011 with the fondness that I know I will. Have a well-earned half-term break and see you all soon.
Jon Weller
Director of Music
Posted on
Mon, February 14, 2011
by JPW