The Thomas Arno Fund supported students from Haberdashers' Monmouth Boys' school on a musical trip in the summer of 2023.

This important additional funding meant that 35 students plus four members of staff, and a 9-piece string ensemble were able to travel to Bavaria and Austria in 2023. They performed in Salzburg Cathedral, Mondsee Abbey (where the wedding scene from the Sound of Music was filmed), the Erlöserkirche in Erding and two churches in Munich, including a collaborating with the resident Youth Choir at St. Johannes.

There were also impromptu outdoor performances in Salzburg, Bad Aussee, on a lake in Mondsee, in the centre of Munich and in the Singers' Hall in Schloss Neuschwanstein.

You can also watch a video of a performance by clicking on any of the four photos below, which will take you straight to out YouTube channel.

Read what some of the students on the trip had to say about their experiences: 

“For me, the highlight of the tour was the wide variety of stunning venues that we were able to perform in. Being able to sing and play the flute in places with such incredible acoustics is truly an unforgettable experience. The tour gave me an opportunity to boost my confidence in new situations and to share my passion for music with a larger and more diverse audience. The balance between performances and activities allowed me to discover the jaw-dropping scenery that Germany and Austria have to offer. The ‘walking tour’ of Munich was a particular highlight as, despite the sweltering heat, we explored the rich history of the bustling city. Overall, I am thankful to have taken part in the incredible journey and look forward to the next choir adventure.” – Miles, Yr 12

“Secondly, I enjoyed being able to try some foods from a foreign country that I have never had before. When we were singing at our last venue with a German choir, we were fed a plate of sausages, potato salad and pretzels. The sausages were some of the best I have ever eaten, the potato salad was great, and the pretzels were not only delicious, but they were also bigger than my hand!” – Monty, Yr 8