The Dark Peak Summer Music Course and Concert Tour 2024 is to Leipzig in Germany. Giving three performances in amazing venues, this will be an opportunity to explore this beautiful area of Saxony which is steeped in history and musical heritage.
Leipzig - City of Music
Leipzig is a vibrant modern city which has grown up around the old town. Rich in cultural heritage, Leipzig was famously the home of J S Bach who produced many of his greatest works while he was at St Thomas Church. Richard Wagner, Gustav Mahler, Robert and Clara Schumann and Felix Mendelssohn also lived and worked in the city.
Concerts in Beautiful Places
We will be giving three concerts, one at Bach’s Church, St Thomas’ in the centre of Leipzig, the second in the concert hall in the beautiful spa town of Bad Schmeideberg, and finally in the 12th century cathedral at Grimma.
The trip will include visits to Colditz Castle (the scene of many legendary escape attempts by British officers during WW2) and the beautiful spa town of Bad Schmiedeberg where we will give a concert in its stunning concert hall. The final day will be a full day outing to Dresden, a town that was almost obliterated by the allies during WW2 but has been reconstructed to its former glory.
As well as concerts we there will be free time to explore in groups and for a trip to the Cospudener See where we can spend a morning on the beach, swimming and exploring the surrounding nature reserve.
The trip is open to members of the Dark Peak Concert Band, Youth Orchestra and invited members of the Intermediate Wind band (players approaching Grade 4 who are likely to be in the Concert Band by the time of the tour). We also invite recent past members. Places will be offered on the basis of age, standard and the musical needs of the group. We hope to present a varied programme, including wind and string chamber ensembles.
The course will start with two days of rehearsals during the week preceding at home before setting off by coach to Leipzig where we will be staying at the H2 Hotel in the very centre of Old Leipzig. This will be the perfect base for our concerts and trips out into the surrounding countryside.
Cruising with the Best
We will be travelling with ACFEA Specialist Travel. We know from experience that they will give us fantastic performance opportunities with great audiences, 5-star travel and the very best restaurants.
Itinerary
(NB. For guide purposes only - detailed itinerary to follow)
14-15th August Pre-tour Rehearsals in Glossop (to be confirmed)
Friday 16th August Van with gear sets off - day off for players
Saturday 17th August 12pm start from Victoria Hall. Ferry to Calais then overnight to Leipzig
Sunday 18th August Early pm Arrive at Hotel - evening rehearsal in hotel
Monday 19th August City tour of Old Leipzig
Concert 1 - Open-air concert at the Bach Monument at St Thomas Church
Tuesday 20th August Morning swimming at Cospudener Lake
Concert 2 - Kurshaus, Bad Schmiedeburg
Wednesday 21st August Morning excursion to Colditz Castle
Concert 3 - Frauenkirche, Grimma
Thursday 22nd August Day trip to Dresden
Friday 23rd August Free morning in Leipzig. Pm load coach and set off home
Saturday 24th August Arrive Glossop c.7pm
