A busy day

Today was all about performing.  Our first concert was an early one at the local primary school, Jean Jaures, where we played in front of 80 eager children and their teachers.  "Breathless" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" where definite hits and got them all clapping along. 

Then, back to College Edouard Herriot for a lovely and friendly lunch with Brigitte's English students.  After lunch the winners of the grand quiz were announced and we are pleased to say that Joanna and Marguerite came in joint first.

Two more short concerts for some classes from Edouard Herriot were then followed by a longish walk in the rain to the circus tent of Le Chapiteau de la Fontaine in the neighbouring village of Clichy-Sous-Bois.  Here the atmospheric backstage area was redolent of times gone by with old props and mirrors adorned with light bulbs.  The kids made the most of the opportunity to lord it and play the roles of stars.  A strong performance reflected the group's growing cohesion.  After a long and tiring day we finally went back to Livry-Gargan to meet the hosts for the last night of our stay.

On stage at Le Chapiteau a la Fontaine

Brief photo opportunity at Haringey Square

This morning seems like a long time ago....

After an early morning rehearsal we went straight in to a workshop with a small choir directed by Josiane Camus, the Head of Music here. We rehearsed and performed the Leonard Cohen song, 'Hallelujah' and the French anthem, 'Les Champs Elisee'. Alex A and Jakaya did a great job of teaching the choir good English pronunciation and some of the local students taught us the chorus to the French song. It was rounded off by a lovely joint performance.


Then we went to the centre of Paris for some tourism. First we had lunch in Montmartre before the two travel groups had a race up to the beautiful hill top views of Sacre Coeurs. James Longworth came in a respectable 4th, proving that the tactic of the tortoise and the hare really works!

Then on to the Eifel Tower by metro train on which we were serenaded by two fantastic groups. The first one was a mixture of jazz saxaphone, beatbox and rap and was applauded rapturously by all. When we pulled in to the station the carriage was literally rocking along to the music. The second was a more mellow jazz version of blue bossa played on clarinet and melodian. I dont ever recall such scenes on a london tube train!

After a short stop at the eifel tower we caught the batobus to Musee D'orsay where we had a walk and photo opportunity on the bridge of locks so called because there are thousands of locks painted with messages of love attached to the railings. Then on to a brief visit to impressive cathedral of Notre Damme . 

We then got on the coach back to Livry where we finished off the day with a lovely meal at a Franco-indian restaurant. Then off to be safely reunited with our hosts?

Will write again soon,
Nick

Arrived safely

After a relatively incident free and relaxed journey on the Eurostar and coach from Gare du Nord we arrived to a very wet but enthusiastic welcome from the pupils of Edouard Herriot Secondary School; though 'mobbed' might be a more accurate description!  Like many schools in Haringey, it is very multicultural and the pupil makeup reflects French involvement in other parts of the world, especially North Africa.

Despite some protestations that it was half term and therefore "holiday", we all went straight to the English language classes where it was interesting to see and experience different teaching styles and standards of behaviour of the locals.  We were very impressed that most of the guys were willing to have a go and speak French in front of a whole class of French students.  James Wilkins particularly shone in this respect and is a definite linguist in the making .  Well done Haringey Young Musicians!

At the end of the school day we were greeted by our hosts and their children who were all very warm and friendly people! Everyone went to their homes happily.

Just off the train at Gare du Nord

French class

Getting ready....

Hi all,
looking forward to seeing you all bright and early on Tuesday morning. Don't forget your passports...and your guitars!

See you then.

Nick

Welcome

Welcome to the blog for our Senior Guitar Group trip to Livry-Gargan, Paris in May 2013.

Visit the blog for stories, news, photos and maybe even video clips of our adventures in France.