BLOGS: Day 12 - 16

Day 12- Saturday 12th July 2009- Montreux

Alex Mau
Montreux was our first place of the tour with French as the native language, as opposed to German in Austria and St Moritz and Korean in Korea.
Our accommodation is a youth hostel on a bed, dinner and breakfast basis. It is split into rooms of six and eight. The accommodation is next to a railway but is very close to Lake Geneva with a picturesque view. The main attraction in Montreux at this time is the 43rd Montreux Jazz Festival, held from the 3rd July to 18th July 2009. Unfortunately we missed a performance of Herbie Hancock (5 July). However, there were other notable performances during our stay from Grace Jones and B.B. King.
The Chatswood High School Jazz Band participated in this festival today at "Music in the Park" at 2pm.
The Festival also had markets where students had the opportunity to buy souvenirs like Swiss chocolates and Swiss Army knives.


Kathy O'Halloran
Well, we are in Montreux and our band has become so much closer and friendlier. The weather, atmosphere and scenery are all so beautiful here with never ending mountain ranges; clear blue waters and the sun pounding on us every second.
The day started at about 8am for breakfast followed by a walk to the nearby markets where hand-made merchandise is evident from every angle.
At 2pm our stage band performed to make our school proud. All the solos were amazing, Roxy’s outfit and hair kicked ass and all were relieved when the performance came to an end.
Most of us were bothered to take the 40 min walk back to our hostel, buying odds and ends from the markets and even some brave people getting their hair braided. As the day went on, and the sun became too hot, and the water too tempting, some of us gave into temptation and disobeyed the rules breaking our trust with the teachers and taking advantage of the freedom we are lucky enough to receive. Some yr 9’s jumped into the cool, refreshing lake water. We were caught out and that night, a much deserved lecture was given and it won’t be forgotten. The possible extent of the actions that had occurred were much greater than what we thought, and what would we do without old Mr Staines. We regret breaking that chain of trust and we realise the extent of our actions. Thankyou for looking after us, we’re sorry…..

Gavin

Our performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival. This was Stage Band's day! Our 2pm performance was the 1st of the day and we left a lasting impression on the excellent crowd that came to listen. The band had great support from other band members and parents - but it was the locals who got into the music. There were many highlights - the Stage Band and Jazz Combo both played with great energy and at a high standard. Special mention to students who were featured as soloists - Ben, Frankie, Tom, Angela, Liam, Natasha, Evan, Jordan, Michael, Joe, Ned, Alice, Jack and Roxy. We played for an hour and it was fantastic! This opportunity to perform at the 43rd Montreux Jazz Festival will long be remembered by the members of the Stage Band.

Teacher Notes
We all make mistakes and luckily this one ended up okay with lessons learnt. A fine system was designed for infringements such as not having passports on one’s person, being in the wrong room, leaving bags unattended etc to help students travel safely as a group. Freedom fines were also another way form of discipline. Fines collected will go towards the production of the tour DVD. Some students took a while to grasp the system! Fines and with the water incident aside, the behaviour of students has been exemplary.

Day 13- Monday 13th July 2009 -Montreux

Aleks
The morning started late, with most people taking advantage of the fact hat breakfast finished at 9.30. Taking into account that Ella, Tessa, Kathy, Nicola, Emily and I weren’t allowed out, we spent time in our rooms. Despite how much it was dreaded there were enough theatrics to provide entertainment. At 11.30 we dressed into the tour t- shirt and all blacks before we ran for the bus- if you didn’t want to walk of course. The band set up and played a set of it’s tunes. There was applause and cheering- some from our parents but I feel the performance wasn’t our best. Following that, Concert Band packed up and after a sufficient break Stage Band took to the stage. Both Liam and Roxy sang and the Stage Band rose to the occasion magnificently. The group finished with everyone’s favourite song "Puffy Taco". It was obvious by the requested encore that the crowd adored the performance. We were given a complimentary Montreux shirt, which is very cool. Free time till dinner so the opportunity to burn some francs before we left for France the next morning. The time flew and we caught a bus back for dinner taking advantage of the free transport. Once dinner was finished we all headed back to the markets to buy some more things and watch the hip hop. Group before catching a bus back with just enough time to make curfew- Not that that meant bedtime!


Liam Riley
This morning was very relaxed. I didn’t wake up until 8.40. I woke up and had a nice breakfast. After breakfast Frankie, Tom and I walked up the main street to the bank. I had to withdraw some money because I had lost my wallet the previous day. I didn’t tell my parents this when I called them yesterday (whoops). When we arrived back at the youth hostel we dressed for our performance at 2.30. Concert Band was up first and we did a great performance and then it was Stage Band’s turn. The weather was perfect for an afternoon gig. The crowds started gathering when they heard our sound check. Before the concert I saw my auntie in the crowd. She was sitting with her big brown dog, Packo and other friends. The gig was so fun with the sweet solos from Michael, Jordan and Joe. We received a standing ovation and an encore. Best gig ever!!! After the gig Jack, Jordan and I went shopping. I bought 2 CDs, hat key ring and some bracelets, basically for my parents. We were back about 9.30. It is so amazing in Montreux because it stays light until 9 o’clock at night. In our rooms we were packing our bags and I found my wallet. Best day on tour yet.


Gavin
Both Bands performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The Concert Band performance took place at 2.30pm. A large audience gathered to listen as the band played a 45 minute programme. The band was very well received and a number of the audience stayed behind to talk to individual band members at the conclusion of the concert.
At 4pm the Stage Band gave their second performance at the Festival. They played exceptionally well with individual students especially excelling with their quality solos. A huge audience was on hand to listen to the band. At the conclusion the band received a standing ovation and an encore followed.
Both concerts were recorded and all students were presented with a Montreux Jazz Festival 2009 Performers’ Shirt.


Teacher Highlight
On behalf of all parents we claimed the students as our own, it was so much fun, the crowds kept coming, there was dancing, people taking pictures and smiles all around. The bands blew the audience away. Be proud!

Day 14- Tuesday 14th July 2009 - Paris

Some late reports. Will update soon.


Teacher Highlight
Bird’s eye view of Paris and the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower for Bastille Day from the safety of our own Hotel roof without the 1 million plus crowds.

Day 15- Wednesday 15th July 2009- Paris

Nicola Robb
Today was in my opinion one of the longest days so far of the trip. After waking up at the too early hour of 8.00am, we made our way down to the coaches for a full day of sightseeing in Paris; with many well-known icons such as the Arc de Triumph and the Eiffel Tower. While at Notre Dame, which of course many of you at home know from the Disney movie, some of us had a look around the crypts, and were therefore late (oops) but most of the day flew by without a hitch. We had lunch at the Arc de Triumph, and later while we were at the Eiffel Tower viewing point we were approached by some lovely French men who tried to sell us some identical models of the Tower for identical prices. Unfortunately, if we were in small groups and one of us bought something off them then the rest of us were hassled. Kudos to Mr Avgenicos who asked " How much is the big one?" We had a longer break at a seven storey Myer equivalent and by this time we had to head back to the hotel. So we set off, some of us shopping at a supermarket on the way (Thank God for summer fruit!)
Dinner was interesting to say the least, and after delicious chicken and wedges a few thank you speeches were given, followed by the Yr 12 girls presenting awards to people on the tour, such as "least likely to make it back into Australia" ( Jess R keeps mislaying her passport) or "Most likely to be quarantined" (Aron for his perpetual flu). Of course the highlight of the evening had to be Josh Pav, tearfully confessing his love to Mr Staines. Ah Paris , the city of love!


Teacher Highlight
Wanting the kids to experience French food we ordered duck which they all ate as they thought it was chicken.

Day 16- Thursday 16th July 2009- Paris

Henry Wong
The whole of Thursday was spent at Euro Disney, Paris. Concert band set up and played a 30 min set, Stage Band playing soon after. The rest of the day was spent in the theme park, going on rides, buying Disney merchandise and food, and walking around; the usual theme park day. The park was packed with tired parents and over excited children; with jolt theme tune music playing everywhere you went. The rides had long queues and for one roller coaster ride we spent half an hour lining up…., though it was worth the wait.
Despite all this, the 7 hours we had to explore the park went surprisingly fast. As we left on the coaches back to the hotel, everyone was eagerly showing off their new toys and presents.
Overall performing and spending the day at Euro Disney was a great experience and if I could, I would go again.


Gavin
Disneyland Paris was the venue for the final performances of the tour. Concert Band performed a 30 minute show at 12pm and the Stage Band performed their favourite pieces from 1.30pm. Both bands played very well and with enthusiasm. It was a fitting finale to our performances. Well done to all students.


Teacher Highlight
Being old enough not to feel I had to wait two hours for a ride!