comments from students

Roy Sussman: My favourite part of the trip was the gig we played at the gymnasium. The audience were great and we all played our best. Overall the trip was a success and meeting and playing with Swedish musicians was a fantastic experience.

One of the best moments of the trip was the jam session we had at the music school on Saturday night. It was fun playing new tunes with the guys from Bortblast and Big Band. Everyone has been really nice and helpful, especially our hosts, it’s been a good week. Jonny Wickham

A great trip overall. My best moment was the jam session on Saturday night, although playing with the other Swedish musicians was also really enjoyable. Lyle Barton

The trip was an overall success, I enjoyed it a lot. Staying with the host family was a great experience and I felt very at home. My favourite moment of the trip was the Saturday night jam session in the music school, it was brilliant to play new songs with some great musicians both English and Swedish. All in all it has been a fun week. Oscar Barany

For me, the best moment of the tour was the epic jam session on Saturday night. Playing with the teachers of the bands was a very insightful, inspirational and fun way to develop ourselves musically. Our hosts were infinitely helpful, polite and friendly, and made every moment amazing. Roy aside, the trip was perfect (Sorry Roy. Much love). Louis Masseron

Fantastic!, great trip and music tour, lots of fun I enjoyed it a lot, host families were very nice, a fabulous week, matthew wickham

Well the trip was an enthralling experience that i will never forget since it was my first with big band. Every moment was GREAT and it was a great chance for me to get better at my instrument (the clarinet) I hope to go on many more trips with big band in the future. Thank you. Anahi fenerich

I had an amazing time here in Sweden. The Swedish bands we met were really nice and bonding with the other members of Big Band is something that has made us stronger as a both a group of friends and a group of young musicians. The experiences we had here in Sweden is something that I won’t forget in a hurry. Rashada Balasal-Simms

I have really enjoyed this tour especially as this my first with the Big Band. The tour gave me a chance to get to know the other members of the band a lot more. The Swedish band the we played along with were very nice. Our host were very helpful in taking us around. This experience is one I will remember forever. Emmanuel Longe

I had a great time in the schools we played at, especially in the playground on the swings! I really loved the trip and the people on it, and i would deffinatly do it again. Madeleine Knox,

Sweden has been really good:} the people have all been friendly and speak exceptional English. The performances all were so much fun and sounded great. James McKay

I had a fantastic time in Sweden, the music was great, the host families were great and so was every thing else. I would love to come on tour next year if there is one; im sure it will be just as good as this one. Tom hill

Sweden is great! Not only the music side of things, but did you know you get 1 krona every time you recycle a bottle! This is the best tour I have ever been on with Haringey (although this is the first tour I have ever been on with Haringey) and i really hope i get the chancew to go on another one... Last point: Sweden is very similar to London but is cleaner and empty (people wise)! - Ama robinson

I had an amazing time in Sweden. I don’t really have a favourite part but I think that if I had to choose one it would be climbing onto the net at the front of ‘the old ship.’ I also very much enjoyed staying with my hosts, and would like to thank them for treating me and Ben so well. – Torsten Power.

Wow! What an experience! 8 CONCERTS and 3 WORKSHOPS. The hosts were awesome. They were so kind and treated us equally. Can’t choose a best bit, but Sweden did remind me of other hols, like Scotland. Great!!!! – Joseph Browning

Had a great time, met great people and played some great music. Really good time in Sweden! Looking forward to meeting them all again- Connor Dibblin

Superb time in the land of Ikea. Really surprised by the lack of ikeas in Sweden. I assumed that it would be like McDonalds or Starbucks to them (i.e. complete saturation). This morning was pretty rough though. I say to my host ‘Yeah, I’m sure I have packed all my things’ Walter: ‘Ali, your pyjamas are in the bathroom’. Ali Rookes.

I really enjoyed Sweden and my host was really kind (and also had an 800 kilo horse) i have met some great people and I would like to meet them again. Walter Richards

I’ve really enjoyed being in Sweden. Everything’s been great and we’ve played tons of music. I can’t wait for the next tour! Ben Gardiner

Sweden was excellent! Had a great time and look forward to all the different HYM trips to come. The funniest moments were Joseph ‘La squisha’ Browning getting locked in the hotel toilets and also fin falling off his chair with laughter whilst watching the most serious part In rise of the planets of the apes. Will Hayter

There isn’t really anything I can say that someone else hasn’t said before me. Everything about Sweden was amazing. Frances Cummings

The Swedish people were very kind and my host family were great. It was great and I look forward to the next trip. Harry Johnson

I had an amazing time in sweeden I did loads with my host family including fishing and swimming and I had great fun in the concerts, as it was my first ever hym trip I was a bit nervous but everyone was really nice and I made loads of new friends . fin woolfson

Overall fun time in Sweden despite max and harry ruining my chances with the most beautiful sweed in the world and me not being very good at the adventure day- I’m too competitive… Kati Gosschalk

Me and harry had great fun with the swedish girls, even though they are quite shy. Ay it was sick blud. Max heap

Had an amazing time this trip met many friendly people played some good jazz didn’t fail any solos too badly cant wait till next Wednesday :P. P.S. never watch a film with Finn. Euan McGregor

My favourite bit of tour was the whispering stone in the 6^th form centre, where you stood in a certain place and could hear it echo around. – Hugh Matthews

A day of sightseeing

Hello all!

Today we had our first real chance to appreciate the Swedish landscape with a full day of sightseeing. We began by piling onto a coach at the music school from where we departed for Sveafallen. Here, we were treated to a guided tour of various geological formations created during the last ice age. Our experienced guide managed to hold the attention of almost all the band members and with limited English even managed to add in the odd well-placed joke.

After this we travelled to a nature reserve where we had lunch and a little time to either look round the beautiful surroundings or play Crazy Golf..

We then travelled back to Kristinehamn where we sailed on the famous boat of Kristinehamn, which appears in the coat of arms for the town. This was enjoyed by all students, and included going on the net at the front of the boat and firing a cannon!!!

Anyway, ask your young people for full details of this on their return.

Good night

Katie

Sunday

It rained!!!!!!

Unfortunately it rained, and it rained. Lots of host families had organised lots of nice outdoor things to do during thier morning off that needed good weasther, We also had planned to have an outside concert at the Picasso sculpure on the side of Lake Vanern, This unfortunatley had to be cancelled. It did clear up , but was still very windy, so not suitable for lots of music and it was guessed that not much audience would turn up especially as we had a back up plan to have a joint concert this evening as well.

In the spare time we acquired, a few brave souls took to a little dip in the lake by picassos statue, whilst others watched on with either ice-cream !!!!!!!

We then went back to the Musikskolan for curried Chicken, Banana & peanut pizza!?! Its actually very delicious.

We then went to Christine Theatern for a joint concert, where everyone in Bortblast and Big Band took a solo spot.

The audience responded well to all the solos and both bands played Ray Charles and Grazin in the Grass together.

A few pictures of the travel groups for your amusement.....

Katie

Bodaborg etc....

A day out of concert gear today.

Today we had no concert! instead we went to Bodaborg for the day, where the Borblast Band and Haringey Big Band went into the house of adventure for a few hours working together to solve puzzles and challenges ranging from Green- thinking puzzles, Red- a bit physical but also thinking and Black - very physical and very tricky.

Following this the students went home for dinner and rest before returning for a joint rehearsal/workshop and social. Including practising the infamous Ray Charles melody......

In their social the Bortblast orchestra organised games for all students to participate in. Then they went on to watch a film together, with lots of apes in.

Enough for now...

But just to note:

for the count we have nine performances, and two workshops

Good night .....zzzzz

Sorry no pics again today

1st Full day in Kristinehamn

After an evening with the hosts, we all met at the 1st school Sodermalmsskolan, where we did two performances, first to students of a similar age to the Big Band and then a second performance to younger students. Again there were many great solos, and dance moves. The audience were very appreciative at both of these concerts.

We then had a snack before walking the the Brogardsgymnasiet(which in our terms is a 6th form college. He we played a concert in their amphitheatre where there is a coffee shop. This concert was greatly received and they requested two encores. In this concert the small group played two new numbers as well.

We then had a little time to chill in Kristinehamn, pick and mix seem to be a favourite amongst the students on this tour!

The Band and the host families are now playing ball games together, followed by a BBQ.

More news to follow tomorrow.....

Katie

Arrival in Kristinehamn

After a 3 hour coach journey yesterday we arrived safely in Kristinehamn to a musical reception and then departed to stay with host families...

Concert video

A clip from our very first concert in Sweden showing some audience participation and a brief sample of James' stonking trumpet solos!

Hey everyone,

As the tutors didn't do a very long post yesterday because they were 'tired', we thought we'd do one.

We woke up ridiculously early (not for Kate!) to get one of the few hotel showers- which were actually really hot.

At about 9 we left for a primary school where we did 3 concerts back to back with some interesting dance moves from me, Frances and Joe to 'I feel good' and some great soloing from Louis and Emmanuel- as usual! (and the rest of us...)

Then, they fed us some school dinners which were very good- minus the dry cardboard cracker things, and we spoke to a few of the Swedish children (which was embarrassing for us as their English at 6 years old was miles better than our Swedish- Maddie and I have just been told hi means shark here...)

Next we visited an old people's home and did a quieter concert for them. They really enjoyed our jazz music and said it was a nice change from the folk music they are used to.

Soon it was time for the part of the day I had been looking forward to most, going shopping! The mall was huge and the pic 'n' mix here is insane- Frances managed to buy 0.98kg for just £7... I think most of the others just bought McDonald's, sorry parents.

In the evening we had a workshop session with some sweeds who were really friendly- especially the boys.. Being the only flautist in band I somehow ended up in a practice session with 7 people from their band and no-one from ours which was quite scary as we had to learn dance moves [Kate was in her element - loving every moment, giggling and dancing well -PD].

We had a 'Wilko' jam- basically, we all soloed and then Nick Wilkinson took over for about 5 minutes... We ate with them and then they showed us some more Swedish dancing which was hilarious.

Soon after, we returned to the hotel and were allowed a whole 10 minutes in the boys' room before bed.

I have to go now as we are about to leave for our 5th concert in 2 days but hope you're all well and missing us loads.

Hugs from all your children, Kate xx

4 concerts and a workshop later

4 concerts and a workshop , plus lots of nice food! School dinners have never tasted so good. Seriously, Lots of the band were seen going for seconds and even some for thirds.

The students did us proud with very successful performances. Everyone in the Band at some point in the day did a solo.

Sorry for the short blog today, we are all very tired.

The tutors.

The end of an 18 hour day!

Day one! Even though few of us got more than six hours of sleep, we were all surprisingly lively. After arriving in Sweden we were taken to our hotel, before long we were taken for an interesting boat trip along an old moat in Gotenburg. On this tour of the river, we learnt about some of the history of the town such as the ship building along the river and the original purpose of the river. One of the most interesting parts of the tour was the bridge nicknamed "The Cheese Grater" Bridge. It was given this name because is incredibly low. So low in fact that we had to literally duck under our seats as simply bending over just wasn't enough head clearance! After the boat trip we went for some fine cuisine in Pizza Hut and had quite an enjoyable dinner.

All in all, with the weather on our side, we had a great introductory day to Sweden and we're looking forward to the other delights that Sweden has to offer.

By Ama and Rashada

First impressions of Sweden

'Like England but clean' - Matt Wickham

All arrived safely

We have arrived at the hotel in Gothenburg and are relaxing, waiting for lunch. The flight was a little turbulent but everyone coped very well. One (trumpet!) player left his passport on the plane but thankfully it was recovered before we went any further! Everyone seems happy if a little tired. We will be going on a boat trip later this afternoon and our coach driver will also take us on a little tour of the city.

Peter