The School made its biennial journey to Switzerland to take part in the Menuhin Festival in Gstaad at the start of July. Twenty-six students, accompanied by Headmaster Richard Hillier and his wife Elaine, Director of Music Malcolm Singer with his wife Sara, and Senior School Nurse Ann Sweeney and her husband Graham, as well as Chairman of Governors Richard Morris, travelled to the familiar and much-loved Hotel Saanerhof in Saanen, just outside the town of Gstaad.
Friday 17 July saw the orchestra performing in the picturesque and historic Saanen Church, along with former winner of the Menuhin Competiton Junior Section Chad Hoopes, in a programme of Schittke, Haydn, Panufnik, Arnold and Leroy Anderson. The following day, we travelled up the Wispile mountain by cable car to perform a programme of light music (including Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride) in the Berghaus restaurant at the top.
It was a very successful and memorable trip. The students were a great advertisement for the School and a credit to themselves, the School and their parents. Well done all!