The EVC Magazine Autumn/Winter 2024 - Magazine - Page 11
Images courtesy of Rednock School
SCHOOL STORY: REDNOCK SCHOOL MUSIC TOUR
WHAT WORKED WELL?
Collaboration with other schools: As Head
of Music, Jason has noticed a decline in the
number of children starting secondary school
with experience of regular music tuition. But
having a smaller group of musicians doesn’t need
to be a barrier to touring. On this trip, 16 Rednock
students joined with young people from eleven other
schools to form a 40-strong swing band.
The students bonded over rehearsals and concerts
which meant they weren’t strangers when they went
on tour. New, quality friendships were formed. Despite
their different ages and backgrounds, the students
shared a love for music and now a memorable
experience together.
Preparation: The group rehearsed at
weekends and performed together in the run
up to the tour ensuring that they knew their
repertoire inside out before going overseas.
For Jason, this is essential. “The last thing the students
want is to be rehearsing every day of the tour”. This
way they were free to enjoy excursions and experience
different cultures.
Jason booked the tour eighteen months in advance,
allowing plenty of time for planning and enabling
families to budget. He used this time to build
excitement and get the momentum going so when the
tour finally arrived, it was “the icing on the cake”.
Tour company support: He has nothing but
praise for travel company, Rayburn Tours,
who he says always go the extra mile in
finding the right location, accommodation
and performance venues. They also have a strong
focus on safety and safeguarding, giving Jason as visit
leader, the students, and parents confidence.
The hotel accommodation in particular was excellent;
with no other school groups onsite, and mostly
elderly guests in the hotel, it was stress free. The
students were made very welcome and there were
dedicated spaces for them to relax and unwind at the
end of a busy day.
“
It’s this attention to the
needs of your group that
makes all the difference
A FEW FINAL WORDS OF ADVICE:
Travel on a Monday – you might pay
a couple of pounds more per student
but it’s worth it to avoid queues at the
ferry.
Touring is in my DNA...
Jason is already looking ahead to his next tour, this
time in Bruges. It’s a lot of work but he says, “touring
is in my DNA”.
“What’s special about going abroad is the unknown:
new audiences, new experiences and being together.
Quality experiences are second to none and you
only get it on tour, it brings us together not just as
performers but as friends. The challenges, unity, and
excitement are all part of a concert tour.”
Jason Andrews is Head of Music at
Rednock School, a mid-sized semi-rural
secondary school in Gloucestershire.
www.rednockschool.org.uk
You don’t need to go far to have a
great experience – less coach travel
means more time to enjoy your visit.
Ask other schools for
recommendations – coach driver,
Tony came highly-recommended.
His enthusiasm and professionalism
made a big difference to staff and
students.
Your students might be grilled by UK
border forces coming back into the
country – don’t worry, It’s the ‘new
normal’.
See OEAP National Guidance 7.1t Provider led study
and sport tours
THE EVC MAGAZINE – AUTUMN/WINTER 2024-25
11
