Radley College tour, February 2023

We are greatly looking forward to welcoming across Radley College in February 2023.  A double-decker coach will be bringing their choir, symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, and jazz ensembles to the Pays d’Auge for a tour filled with excursions, concerts, fun activities and new friendships.

Working in partnership with the Lisieux Conservatoire on the Saturday, their orchestra will join forces with the Lisieux youth orchestra to rehearse a combined programme during the daytime, leading to a concert that evening featuring all the ensembles and the collaborative items.  This concert will take place in the magnificent Chateau Canon, one of the architectural gems of the Pays d’Auge region.

The following day, the choir will perform as part of the morning Mass at the impressive Basilica Saint-Therese in Lisieux, followed by a trip to Honfleur to visit this beautiful port town.  Rehearsals will take place in partnership with the Ecole de Musique d’Honfleur, and we will bring together a multi-level orchestra involving young children playing open strings alongside the more experienced players.  The concert takes place at the stunning Greniers a Sel that evening.

On the Monday, the group will experience ‘Market Day’ in the quintessential Norman town of Pont L’Eveque, then spend the afternoon at the giant zoo Cerza.  The evening will incorporate a special Dîner Normande – A three-course table-service dinner based on local produce, with a tasting-starter of Cuisses de grenouille au beurre persillé, Escargots de Bourgogne, and Pâté Normand à l’ancienne, followed by a main course of Rôti de porc sauce cidre avec Gratin dauphinois, then a dessert of Tarte Normande aux Pommes caramélisées, all served with Jus de pomme and Jus de poire. Very ‘Pays d’Auge’!

That evening, the tour concludes with a Jazz Night at their accommodation centre Orangerie Bourg-Saint-Leonard, an opportunity for all students with jazz pieces up their sleeves to perform and a fun way to complete the tour!