REPTON SCHOOL CHAPEL CHOIR TOUR TO ROME 2023
At the end of the Lent Term, 45 Repton pupils attended the highly anticipated chapel choir tour to Rome. It was an actioned packed six-day trip which saw pupils perform at St Peter's Basilica in The Vatican, The Basilica of St Paul's Outside-the-Walls and ending the tour with a residence at All Saints‘ Anglican Church.
In addition to the abundant music performances, pupils also had the time to explore some of Rome’s world-renowned sites, from the Sistine Chapel to the amphitheatre at Ostia Antica, which also offered GCSE pupils the opportunity to bring their Classics course to life. “Having the chance to visit Rome with the choir was simply fantastic. To not only get the chance to visit places like St Peter’s Basilica and St Paul Outside-the-Walls, but to sing there too was truly a once in lifetime experience that I am so grateful for. These places are so rich in history! I can’t wait for the next tour”, says pupil Harriet H.
For some pupils, this was their last trip with Repton. Upper Sixth pupil Emily R spoke to us about how this memorable experience was a fantastic opportunity to round off her time at school: “The first word that comes to mind to describe the choir tour to Rome is amazing. Not only were we granted the opportunity to sing in some of the most spectacular buildings in the world, but also able to have a fantastic and unforgettable time as a group in a beautiful city”.
Repton’s Director of Music, Oliver Walker, spoke of the unrivalled experiences that the trip offered our pupils and how impressed he has been with their collaboration and hard work: “Over the last few days while on tour in Rome, the choir has made some memories that will last a lifetime. Singing for Mass in the breath-taking basilicas of both St Peter and St Paul was a privileged opportunity offered to very few, while our residence at All Saints‘ Anglican Church made for a fitting end to a wonderful tour”.
“The choir has gone from strength to strength this year, but it really does not get better than this! With huge thanks to all of those who made it possible, here and in Rome. To quote Christian Almada, Director of Music at the Basilica of St Paul Outside-the-Walls: “Very nice sound, an amazing choir” of which I agree!”
