When in Rome…Sing!

After an early morning start, the Reed's School Choir was greeted by bright sunshine as they arrived in Rome for the Choir Tour. The first outing was a visit to Ostia Antica, an archaeological site of ancient Rome’s main seaport. The pupils found it fascinating to walk the streets of this ancient city, with the public baths and reconstructed theatre being common favourites.

The following morning saw a trip to the Capitoline Museum which houses many amazing sculptures and statues. In the afternoon, after a visit to the vast and impressive Colosseum alongside the ruins of the Roman Forum, the choir prepared for the first concert of the tour at Sant’Apollinare Basilica. They all sang beautifully, especially Phoebe Schofield’s solo in the Fauré ‘Messe Basse’, which moved a nun in the audience to such an extent that she gave Phoebe a set of Rosary beads.

With the sun still shining the next day the choristers held their second concert at Sant’Agnese in Agone Church. Once again they rose to the occasion, performing to over 100 people in a magnificent venue. Following this success the choir visited St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and, afterwards, gave an impromptu performance in the plaza which proved very popular with the crowds!

On the final day, after a walking tour that took in the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, the last concert was held at Sant’Andrea della Valle Basilica, once again producing an exquisite performance and providing a fitting conclusion to an amazing tour.

Chris Hedges, Music Department