Daily Diary

26th: Everybody arrived at the airport and began the long process of checkking in nearly 100 people. In total including staff and musicans the QYS Tour group numbers 98. There was a little bit of and adventure for Noel our Stage Manager on Tour as he had to race back into town to get more documents signed for all the lugage and instruments to be allowed back into Germany once we after we go to France.

Every one made it on board and the group was excellently behaved on the flight to Singapore.

Arriving in Singapore at 11.00 pm Brisbane time we had a 3 hour layover until we take off on the next leg to Frankfurt. The group got to walk around the huge Changi Airport and visit the many Duty free store.

The walk from the gate we landed at to the gate we took off from was nearly 2Klms

After our wait we boarded our plane for the 12 hour flight to Frankfurt

27th: After an exhausting 12 hour flight we arrived in Frankfurt at 6:30am Local time (approx. 2.30pm Brizzy time) this meant we were travelling for almost 24hours.

Most everyne got some sleep and because of the direction we were flying some of the group on the east side of the plane got to enjoy a sunrise that lasted for over 3 hours. (please see picon photos page to enjoy)

It was a fairly major logistical exercise to get all our items through customs and each of the musicians had to carry an extra box or to on their trolleys so we could all pass through customs. We all got through O.K. and headed outside to the busses and truck who were to pick us up and take us around for the day.

We were met by the lovely Martina who works with the Music School in Mannheim whi had organised a day of sight seeing in Heidleberg and Schwetzingen for the group.

There are some great shots of the group taken at these locations (again check out the photo page)

We had a guided tour of Heidleberg and got to preview the venue for one of our concerts coming up in 6 days time.

The town of Schwetzingen and, in particular, the Castle gardens which are extensive and considered among the finest in Europe. Elector Carl Theodore of the Palatine created the park between 1748 and 1785 using French architects and English style landscaping. Schwetzingen is located around 10km from both Mannheim and Heidelberg.

Heidelberg has Germany’s oldest University and also one of Germany's most visited castles. It has been a university town since 1386 with students making up much of the population. The colourful atmosphere that university life imparts to the town is felt especially in the old student quarter, with its narrow streets and lively inns. The University was founded after the Great Schism of 1378, when conflicting claims to the papacy created unrest, and German teachers and students fled the Sorbonne in Paris.

We then returned to Mannheim where a lovely group of people where waiting out the front of the Mannheim Music School holding up signs of with the names of the students they would be hosting. In less the 20 mins all of our group departed to spent the night with there host familys. (see more pics of this on our picture page)

28th: This was a long day for the group with a 5 hour rehearsal in the Gustav Mahler Hall in the lovely Rosengarten Center where we will be performing tomorrow. John Curro put the orchestra through their paces to shake off any cobwebs from our 24hour flight and day of sight seeing.

29th : Performance day. This was the first of the many concerts we would perform whilst on tour. An audience of nearly 300 came to our Matinee concert to witness Macarthur Clough at his best. The QYO then performed Mahler before combining with the MYO to perform an excert from Carmen.

This was a Sunday in Germany and no stores trade on this day, so the group was free to enjoy time with their homestay families.

Most homes in Mannheim do not have gardens so people buy a garden attached to a large park and congregate their to enjoy a BBQ of relax with friends in the sun. It was a heatwave here in Germany today with temps around 28 degrees celcius.

Germany were playing Spain in the European Cup Final (Soccer). Most of the orchestra were hosted by Sebastion one of the MYO members in his family garden to watch the game. Germany lost 1-0

30th : This was an extrordinary day. All the touring party met at the Mannheim music school boarded buses and travelled about an hour and twenty minutes through lovely forests and farm land winding down the curviest roads imaginable until we reached the Rhein River. When then enjoyed a two hour river cruise until we reached the town of Rudesheim. Along the way we passed literally dozens of medievial castles It is amazing how fast the water flows in the Rhein.

Rudesheim is a quaint tourist town on the Rhien with small coblestone pathways and roads and lots of shops to buy gifts and trinkets for home. We at lunch here and travelled up a two man cable car to the top of the hills over looking the town. The view was spectacular and we took some great group shots with a wide angle lens. Check them out in the photo section. This region is the Barossa Valley of Germany and is their major wine growing country.

We then caught the bus back to Mannheim where most of the tour party and their homestay host enjoy an evening together in the park next to the river until dark.

1st : A day of work and play for the QYS members. We gather at the Mannheim Music school at 8.30am and travelled by buss to the City of Spayer. Where we will peform a benfit concert tonight.

John Curro put the group through their paces in a 4 hour rehearsal on a very hot stage, before we enjoyed some free timne shopping and eating lunch in the local town centre.

We then enjoyed a guided tour on foot of the old city. the ancient city of Speyer, located on the Rhine river 30km south of Mannheim. The city’s history encompasses periods of spectacular glory and deep misery. Speyer has a compact city centre based around the main street with the Cathedral at one end and the Altpörtal (old town gate) at the other end. Speyer’s imperial Cathedral (Kaiser Dom), a basilica with four towers and two domes, was founded by Conrad II in 1030 and remodelled at the end of the 11th century. It is one of the most important Romanesque monuments from the time of the Holy Roman Empire and it was the burial place of the German emperors for almost 300 years.

We then returned to Speyer Stadthalle where our hosts for the concert turn ed on the most fabulous of meals for us. Then it was down to the green room to prepare for the night's concert.

The MYO performed Marchensuite and received a raptuous round of applause at the end of their recital.

Kerry Thomas was simply suberb in his perfomance on the French Horn for R Strauss' Horn Concerto No.1 in E flat major. He received a thunderous applause from the audience and had to return to the stage three times to take a bow and acknowledge the crowd's appreciation.

QYS then performed an excellent rendition of Shostakovih 5. At the climax the crowd sood as one and gave QYS a standing ovation.

The combined MYO & QYS Orchestra's performed again to the deilght of the audience and the night ended late for us traveling back to Mannheim by bus at 11.00am

2nd :-- After a late finish last night the group had some time to sleep in. Gather at the Mannheim Music School to walk as a group to City Hall. Looking impressive in our black tour shirts and matching black pants we turn heads as people questioned who are all these people.

Arriving at city hall we were greeted by the Mayor for Economic Development and given a wonderful presentation on the City of Mannheim and it's heritage. All the group was invited to sit in the City Council Chambers.

Afterwards we enjoyed refreshments with the offical party and had a group photo on the Stairs of the Council Chambers. (see the pic in the photo section)

The brass section of QYO performed a quaint collection of Australian Folk songs arranged by Kerry Thomas our Principle Horn Player

3rd :-- Argueably our finest performance to date. We arrived at the Music School early for our trip to Heidlberg and the beautiful St Peter's Church. A centuries old church fully restored to it's former splendid glory. This would be our venue for tonights performance.

The orchestra performed beautifully and the accoustics in the old church really added to the majesty of the performance. Once again Macarthur and Kerry excelled in their featured performances.

The QYS then performed an piece entitled "A Swagman's prominade" a collection of Australian Folk songs such as Waltzing Matilda , Botany Bay, Click go the shears etc. I share with you that I never felt more proud to be an Australian then sitting in this magnificent old church in Heidlberg Germany listening to this fine group of talented Aussie kids play this wonderful piece.

There were over 300 people in the Audience would stood and gave the QYS a raptuous standing ovation time and time again. The QYS then preceeded to play 4 encores. With the audience clpping along in delight. (Back to top)

4th :-- A bitter sweet day for us as we bid farewell to our lovely Mannheim homestay host families after 10 great days together. Lifelong friendships have been made here and the love of music united us. --- bitter saying goodbye.

Sweet ---- As we began our journey to Strasbourg in western France everyone piled onto the buses for the 2.5 hour journey to France. As we crossed the border John Curro trumpthantly declared that this was the first time that any orchestra from QYO had set foot on French soil. All on board cheered and clapped and then silence for a time as I am sure every one pondered on how fornunate we all are to have these talents and to be on tour.

We arrived in Strasbourg and off loaded all of our luggage at the Hostel before enjoying an afternoon of shopping and sight seeing arond the city centre. We then piled onto to the busses agaiin for a 40min drive to the town of Bouxwiller for a shorter concert as part of the Strasbourg International Youth Orchestra Festival.

The Alsace region is located at the eastern border of France. It is flanked on the west by the Vosges mountains, and on the east by the Rhine river and the Black Forest. Once part of the German Empire, Alsace only became French under Louis XIV. Germany later re-annexed it twice, from 1870-1918 and from 1940-1945. The region projects a fairy tale image of half-timbered houses adorned with flowers, gabled roofs, and chimneys.

We arrived in the lovely hamlet of Bouxwiller and the town provide dinner for us. There are 4 orchestras performing together over the next 3 days Strasbourg Junior Orchestra, Northern Jaards-- from North West South Africa, QYO and the Strasbourg Youth Symphony.

Once again the incomreble Macarthur Clough performed Clarinet Concerto No.2 again the audience were just in awe of the talent of this young man. The orchestra then performed "Tropic". QYS was a stand out performer on the night.

The town then provide a reception in our honour after the concert before heading off with our home stays and back on the bus for the short drive to the hostel in Strasbourg.

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5th :-- Strasbourg------- Another red letter day for QYS for many reasons. First we all got to sleep in for a bit, as we were not required to arrive at the Palais des Fetes for rehearsal until 1.00pm. What a majestic yet some what rustic venue, this was every bit what you would imagine a Franch Concert hall to be.

Boy we had fun unloadinh the truck as everything had to be taken up two flights of stairs and there were no elevators or lifts.

The new bump in, bump out roster meant it was the woodwinds turn to unload the truck with us. The truck was late arriving so I deceided to get creative with the guys and take some comtempory potraits of the guys against a really nice textured wall. (Check out these pictures on the photo page entitled "REED")

Mahler himself has conducted at the Palais des Fetes hall where QYS will play
Mahler’s first symphony. Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region and is widely known for hosting a number of important European institutions such as the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. Strasbourg's historic centre, the Grande Île (Grand Island), was classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. Strasbourg has been a bridge of unity between France and Germany for centuries, especially because of its University and the co-existence of catholic and protestant cultures. The main tourist attractions in Strasbourg are Notre Dame Cathedral, and the half-timbered houses of the Petite France district.

I realise I am a bit biased now as I am falling in love with this great group of people I am tour with, however, QYS's performance of Mahler's Symphony No.1 gave me goose bumps. At the cresendo the crowd stood as one to applaud quite simply "EXCELLENCE" The photo's prove it. (Check them out on the photo page) (Back to top)

6th :- We travelled to Scherwiller today which was about an hours drive from Strasbourg. This was the finale of the 3 day International Youth Orchestra Festival. Scherwiller is a quaint french town right in the middle of wine country. We had lunch in the Town's Civic Centre before making our way to the church of St Peter & St Paul to rehearse for tonight's concert.

After rehearsal somes of us took a tour of the local winery and were instructed on how wine was made. The tour took us underground were at one stage we were 2 metres below the main street in their cellars, vats and warehouse.

Kerry Thomas performed in the Horn Concerto and although he himself felt he could have done better, the audience loved him and gave him a standing ovation. Infact much to Kerry's embarassment he had to return to the stage over 4 times to take a bow, as the audience just clapped and clapped and cheered.

QYS then perfomed Deep and finished with "Swagman's Prominade" as John introduced this as our final piece he stated, "...this is our gift to you!" the audience let out an audible sigh of appreciation. At the conclusion of the piece the audience gave QYS a standing ovation for well over 4 minutes.

The town hosted a reception in our honour and we left around 10.30pm to return to Strassbourg. (Back to top)

7th :-- We left France this morning and bit farewell to our homestay familes. In fact only half of the tour group had homestays as the other have stayed in a youth hostel. Which was interesting if you could imaging 4 smelly brass players in the one room in bunk beds and what that room would have looked like. All said and done it was quite pleaent accommodation and the beds were great.

After about 90mins we arrived back in Germany in the towm of Freiburg. Our host Iain Semple who used to be a principle clarinet in QYS 30 + years ago. He is an expat Aussie who now calls Germany home . He came to Germany to study after graduating University in Brisbane fell in love with a lovely lady (French Canadian) who was study in Germany and the rest is as they say History. Iain was a very genuine b bloke and a great host.

At the centre of the old city is the Münsterplatz, its largest square where a farmers' market takes place every day except Sundays. This is the site of Freiburg's Münster, a gothic Cathedral constructed of red sandstone, built between 1200 and 1530. The city also houses one of the oldest and most renowned German universities, the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg.

We had time to shop and see the town before returing to the Freiburg Music School to perform Tallis.

The school provided dinner and we all departed to our homestays for the evening. (Back to top)

8th :-- Today we all travelled to a unique venue called "Burgerhaus Seepark" a man made island in the middle of a great lake in Freiburg the venue has glass on either side of the concert hall with views out over the lake.

The orcehstra rehearses for 2.5 hours in the morning then had free time in the afternoon. Some of us ventured up to the Black Forest and the Mountains surrounding Freiburg. The weather changed and the nist and clouds rolled in adding to the feel and majesty of the forest. We then returned to the venue for the concert

This was our final concert for Freiberg and was well attended. Many people out for a stroll in the cool evening heard the performance and came to listen. QYS was performed a full program. Kerry Thomas again excelled with "Horn Concerto No.1. The strin gs performed beautifully with Fantasia on a Theme by Tallis

After the interval QYS performed Shostakovich No. 5 to generous applause from the audience who kept clapping until we performed 3 encores. Audience and orchestra lingered together enjoying each other's company until we had to leave to return to our homestays and accomodation.

9th :-- We amassed at the Freiburg Music School this morning to catch our buses to our next destination Stuttgart. The bus trip took approximately 2.5 hours. We arrived at the expansive campus of Stuttgart University.

We were greeted by the lovely Veronika (Director of the Stuttgart University Orchestra )and Sonya. Sonya is an expat Aussie girl from Melbourne who lives in Stuttgart and teaches english. She plays in the Orchestra and were just the best hosts.

Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg and is the sixth-largest city
in Germany. It is one of Germany's premier wine-growing regions, and is set in a lush valley ringed with vineyards and thick forests, Stuttgart is among the greenest cities in Europe and the citizens pride themselves on their environmentalism. The Stuttgart area is known today for its high-tech industry. Some of its most prominent companies include Daimler AG, Porsche, Bosch, Hewlett- Packard, Mercedes-Benz and IBM -all of which have their world or German headquarters here. At the centre of Stuttgart lies its main square, Schlossplatz. it stands at the crossover point between the city's shopping area, Schlossgarten park which runs down to the river Neckar, the two central castles and major museums and residential areas to the south west. Although the city centre was heavily damaged during World War II, many historic buildings have been reconstructed and the city boasts some fine pieces of modern post-war architecture.

NO REST FOR THE WEARY THOUGH !!!! It was straight into a 2 hour rehearsal befor e our hosts organised a foot rally for us to see our way around the city of Stuttgart. Our team TEAM IRENE won maily due to the leadership of Dale. Who incidently got to stay in the home of a German Baron in Freiburg and has some interesting stories to tell.

We finished up at the Stuttgart School of Music and met Alexander the conductor of the Stuttgart Music School who would later lead the combined Stuttgart Univeristy, Stuttgart Youth and QYS Orchestra in a rousing redention of the theme from "The Pirates of the Carribean"

Stuttgart University Orchestra then provided a lovely dinner and we were introduced to our homestay families before leaving for the evening.

10th :-- Met 1st up at the University for a 2 hour rehearsal before heading off to the Mercedes Benz Museum for the afternoon. Nearly everyone that attended found this extremely interesting even if cars weren't your thing as it basically told world history. German history and Mercedes history.

We then returned to the university for a concert. QYS were welcomed by the Chancillor for the University and a formal response was given by Geoff Rosbrook. QYS performed Shostakovich then for an encore the 3 orchestra's combined to perform Pirates of the Carribean

A function was held afterward to honour QYS and we then returned to our homestays.

11th :-- Most of the touring party met for a day trip to Esslingen a really old part or suburb of Stuttagrt that survived the war unscathed. In walking to the Casltle in Esslingen the group had to walk up over 300 steps to reached the top. Surfice to say the author was absolutely stuffed. My legs still haven't recovered at time of writing.

We then gathered at the Zublin House a unique venue all glassed in to perform a concert with the Stuttgart University Orchestra. There were a couple of highlights I picked up on today. QYS was to perform the Clarinet Concerto and Mahler. Mac rehearsed up a storm and was set for the concert. In the Nahler however, the cello's were not happy with their rehearsal. Dale the principle gathered all the cellos for a meeting virtually skipped dinner and came out and together performed the best Mahler , myself and several others (who have set through Mahler before ) have ever heard.

Needless to say the orchestra received another standing ovation.

12th :-- A travel day today. We said goodbye to our Stuttgart host's and hello to our Bamberg hosts. There are some great pics of this in our photo section.

13th :-- We had a free morning before gathering at the Bamaberg Concert Hall to rehearse and then perform. Kerry Thomas was outstanding as always in the Horn Concerto and the orchestra perfromed the Shostakovich. We then combined with the Bamberg Youth Orchestra and performed "Pomp and Circumstance" Other wise known as "Land of Hope & Glory"

The Timp player for their orchestra was an expat English guy a really top bloke who just loved playing what he called Englands 2nd national anthem. We then were left to enjoy the rest of Bamberg with our homestays.

Once an Imperial city, Bamberg lies in the north of Bavaria and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the few cities in Germany that was not destroyed by World War II bombings. It offers wonderful sights, ancient buildings and a charming old town interconnected by waterways. The main tourist sites include the ancient City Town Hall: Built in the middle of the river 'Regnitz' it can only be reached via two stone bridges and features a Baroque facade on one side and a half-timbered one on the other side.
'Little Venice' comprises small half-timbered houses next to the river Regnitz. In earlier times, it was the home of Bamberg's fishermen. Bamberg cathedral goes back to the 11th century and was financed by Heinrich II, whose tomb is one of the major sights as is the magnificent statue of the 'Bamberg Rider' dating from around the year 1200.
Our concert in the Bamberg Concert Hall is where the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, one of Europe’s leading orchestras, is based.

13th :-- Long Day of travel with major conjestion on the Autobahns due to construction took us 6 hours to get from Bamberg to Salzburg (Home of the "Sound of Music")

Weather was not kind to us and most off us toured around in the pouring rain. We only have an overnight here before a 10 hour drive to Italy tomorrow.

We got to see most of the Sound of Music key sites though.

Salzburg's "Old Town" with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the
best-preserved city centres in the German-speaking world, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is famous for being the birthplace of Mozart, its alpine surroundings and setting of the musical and film The Sound of Music. Salzburg is also a student city, with threeuniversities. The main sights include the Fortress “Hohensalzburg”, one of the largest and best preserved in Europe, the Cathedral, Mozart’s Birth House (Geburtshaus) in the main street (Getreidegasse) and another house he lived in on the other side of the River Salzach, Mirabell Palace, the Franciscan and University Churches, St Peter’s Church cemetary, and Nonnberg Abbey.