Performing to large crowds in beautiful historic settings and dealing with their first public accolades were all part of 
the excitement as nineteen eager young singers embarked on Cobham Hall’s first ever international choir tour.
During the five day tour of Krakow, girls performed three concerts, including in the “awe-inspiring” Wieliczka Salt Mines, and took in various sites of one of Poland’s biggest cities, visiting the Jewish Quarter, the Christmas market and the cathedral.
The repertoire for the concerts was Christmas themed, combining traditional, classical pieces with lighter, more contemporary songs.
The girls performed for a packed audience for their first concert in St Barbara church on Krakow’s famous Market Square, receiving their very first encore and flowers from a member of the Krakow International Youth Choir. Two more concerts followed at the Holy King’s Chapel in the salt mines and at the Solvay Centre of Modern Art.
Ms Clements, Head of Music at Cobham and organiser of the tour, said the choir learnt a lot not just from the tour itself but the preparation leading up to it.
“The girls have come on so much since we booked the tour in terms of ability and confidence. Their tone has really rounded out and become beautiful,” she said.
Recalls Year 10 chorister Alice of the first performance, “We were all buzzing with adrenaline, near enough running off stage in excitement.”
“All of a sudden, Ms Clements came running off stage and announced we had to do another song – our first ever encore! There was only one slight problem…we had no song prepared! In the space of five seconds we had to choose a song to do, communicate it to organist Mr Harris who was right at the back of the church, while trying to stay calm and look professional.”
Adds Ms Clements, “The feeling of being a team was huge – they were so proud and buzzed after the first performance and so sad at the prospect of the last concert and afterwards.”
Girls’ memories of the trip also hint at the wider cultural and educational value of the tour; recollections of forgotten passports and lost luggage, irresistible bargains in the Christmas market, fire-breathing dragons, breath-taking sights, made-up songs and an impossibly fast-talking English-speaking Polish tour guide made for a steep learning curve and an unforgettable experience.
The choir showcased their set in a beautiful Carols by Candlelight concert at Cobham in the lead-up to the tour – an event so well-received, the Headmaster has hinted it may become a school tradition.