Masterworks Chorale – King’s Lynn Tour

Nov 22, 2021

Masterworks Chorale – King’s Lynn tour

Our first tour back after COVID-19 was always going to come with a lot of stress and expectations, but wow did Masterworks Chorale absolutely bring us back with a (beautiful) bang!

Masterworks Chorale at Tilney All Saints

Day 1 – Taking place at the end of September, we set of on Thursday the 24th from Leeds on the coach for King’s Lynn. We were lucky to be blessed with a warm, blue-skied weekend that certainly reflected the trip on the whole! After arriving and checking in to the lovely Duke’s Head Hotel in the centre of this historic market-town, there was some time to explore and grab something to eat before the first – long-awaited – afternoon concert!

The group got back to the hotel to get changed into their concert-wear and then headed over to King’s Lynn Minster to set up and begin rehearsals. The rehearsal was the first full group (in person) rehearsal they had done for months, but you would never have known. King’s Lynn Minster was the perfect place for the first concert back, with it’s vast interior, pipe organ and stunning architecture. The performance began, but not before the whole church had filled up with members of the public, tourists, locals and families! Masterworks’ 45 minute concert was beautiful. The audience were clearly very taken by it and the church was filled with applause for a good minute or two at the end. It was more than any of us could have asked for to kick off the weekend and our reintroduction into in person concert tours. It was then time for a lovely evening meal and celebration of being back together and doing something they love.

Day 2 entailed a few hours of sight-seeing in stunning Cambridge! The group had their own independent plans but from all accounts the most popular trip was a private punting tour along the World Famous ‘College Backs’, it really was the most glorious day for it. Then Friday evening arrived and time for another beautiful concert at St Nicholas’ Chapel back in King’s Lynn.

Day 3 – On Saturday morning the choir departed King’s Lynn again, this time bound for Norwich. Once arriving, it was immediately time to begin rehearsal for a lunchtime performance in the Church of St Peter Mancroft where they were warmly greeted by the church staff and audience alike. There was then time to explore the city of Norwich, with the serenity and beauty of the Cathedral being the favourite spot to head to. Then back to King’s Lynn for the final evening of socialising.

Day 4 – Sunday morning we left King’s Lynn for the final singing event, service participation at Tilney All Saints Church, a medieval church in a small hamlet just a short drive away. The congregation was small but very appreciative, a choir hadn’t sung in the church for over 30 years, and offered their appreciate with the most wonderful buffet spread after the service. After the Sunday morning service it was time to hit the road and head back to Leeds.

It was an unforgettable first weekend back in the swing of things and exceeded all expectations we had of the first tour back.

Testimonials: ‘We had an amazing tour in East Anglia with Sound Escapes. The organisation was first class, navigating all the ‘post’ Covid restrictions and enabling us to enjoy making music together again for some very appreciative audiences’ – Kate, Masterworks Chorale

‘Thanks to Sound Escapes UK Performance Tours and Jo for a great tour. Well organised as always and a pleasure to be back touring with you again’ – Jacquie, Masterworks Chorale

Cambridge

One of the best tours we have ever undertaken – musically, socially and geographically. Would heartily recommend Sound Escapes to any group considering a tour.
Carole Lindsay-DouglasAmici SingersWeston-Super-Mare 2023
Sound Escapes did a fantastic job on arrangements for our tour . Would thoroughly recommend Jo to any choir looking to travel . All feedback has been positive from everyone who travelled . The extra care at meeting us at the coach and check in to ensure things ran smoothly went above and beyond .
Don OakleyMalmesbury ChoirOxford 2023
Brilliant tour, expertly organised. Kindness and compassion. Nothing was too much trouble. Colin, our driver, was a complete gem and so knowledgeable about the isle. Lovely hotel staff where nothing was too much trouble
Felicity CourageChoir Director, Courage Choir
From cathedrals and abbeys, churches and stately homes, all steeped in centuries of history, some in Roman Towns others in quintessential English ‘picture postcard’ villages, every choir and musical ensemble should spend a tour exploring the United Kingdom and Ireland. Whatever part of the country you to choose to visit, by working with a knowledgeable team of people who know the regions inside out from both a tourism and musical perspective, you will be guaranteed the richest of touring experiences
Tim KnightBritish composer and Choral Director
Care and attention to detail of the highest degree. The planning with Jo Porter was detailed and meticulous, with nothing being missed, and although she was not involved in the accommodation arrangements, she nevertheless checked it out and acted as an intermediary.
Robin SpencerChoir Secretary, Phoenix Choir
You’ve been patient and kind all the way through this, Jo – especially with it being the first international tour I’ve done, and with all the unforeseen changes to the travel arrangements, so thank you to you and the team.
Sarah MonteithChoir DirectorResound ChoirParis 2023
As a Chorister, and eventually Head Chorister in our local church choir for eleven years, Jo was talented, dedicated and could always be relied on to work to the utmost of her undoubted abilities. I would expect that she would apply the same attributes to her professional life
P BuckmasterChoral Director
Fantastic tour in Bonnie Scotland, enjoyed by all who went, singing and non-singing. Brilliant organisation from Jo who really made it all look so easy.
Kate HymansTour organiser for Masterworks Chorale

In May 2020 we were due to tour the Stirling area in Scotland and due to the current coronavirus pandemic we took the difficult decision to call off the tour. I’d like to give our thanks and praise to Jo and her team for all the planning and preparation she had done to put the itinerary together – she was able to provide us with an excellent range of stunning concert venues, plus some great suggestions for our leisure time, and we look forward to working with her again soon.

Sally ColesSecretary, Cantamici
Jo and her team came up with a fantastic itinerary for our choir and planned everything to the last detail. We always felt we were in safe hands and that they were on the end of a phone to help us with anything we needed. We couldn’t recommend them highly enough.
Rosie SayersChairperson for Sing It Loud Community Choir

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