2018 Tour - Europe

In April of 2018, 29 students and 11 parents toured the musically significant cities of Zurich, Stuttgart, Munich, Salzburg & Vienna. It was a noteable musical and cultural experience for all those involved, and included visits to cities that have produced some of Europe’s greatest classical composers . Players learnt about the lives and inspirations of Europe’s finest musicians, including Wagner in Munich and Mozart in Salzburg. The tour also gave our young musicians the opportunity to perform in world renowned venues, work with accomplished conductors and participate in masterclasses with highly regarded professors. The students also attended some wonderful concerts including a visit to the Vienna State Opera.

Whilst in Zurich, MSE took part in a series of performances. The first was an MSE concert which showcased repertoire as diverse as Peter Sculthorpe, Samual Barber & Bach. The others were part of a series of Mozart family subscription concerts in which MSE rehearsed and performed with members of the Zurich Youth Sinfonie Orchester, culminating with two concerts at the magnificent Tonhalle Maag.

From Zurich, our students travelled to Stutttgart for five days to rehearse and perform with JUKO; the Jungers Kammers Orchester. MSE has a long association with JUKO which began with an initial joint concert in 2003. Over the past 15 years, we have established a deep and enduring relationship with them, fostered by a number of visits to Stuttgart and also hosting the German students, on a reciprocal visit to Melbourne. The opportunity for our students to perform in venues such as the Mozaartsaal in Stuttgart are invaluable.

Throughout the tour, students also participated in a series of masterclasses with luminaries such as Johannes Goritzki, Anke Dill, Professor Mi-Kyung Lee & Wenn-Sinn Yang.

These types of exchanges and tours are an integral part of our student’s musical journey. It gives them the opportunity to perform in world class concert venues and to meet like minded young musicians. Most importantly, the standard of musical excellence on display in countries such as Germany serves as a wonderful inspiration.