UVHS students take their musical talents overseas

More than 83 members of the school's Wind Band will be going on an eight-day concert tour across Italy this July, with four concerts already lined up.

Since launching 25 years ago, the Wind Band has seen hundreds of eager young musicians perform across the UK and Europe, receiving widespread critical acclaim.

Last summer, the group travelled to Paris where they performed two televised performances celebrating their 25th Birthday as well as the country's Bastille Day.

The band's Italy tour will see them perform four public concerts, starting in Verona and continuing across various towns in Lake Garda.

The group will be led by assistant headteacher and subject leader for performing arts, Richard Butler, who was recently awarded an MBE for services to Music Education.

Tabi, who plays the tenor sax, soprano sax and sings in the band, expressed her "sense of belonging" when performing with the group.

She wrote: "The Wind Band in UVHS, along with our other bands like the Swing Band, really are a unique element of our school environment.

"As a very large band of over 90 members of all different ages, it serves to bring all of us together in a way that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

"It gives us all a sense of family and belonging within the school.

"The band has travelled extensively and has given access to parts of the world to children who may not have seen it otherwise.

"This year is no different with our tour to Lake Garda in the North of Italy.

"We are playing in one of the oldest cities in Europe, Verona, and also performing at the Pastrengo Jazz And Pop Festival, as well as other concerts in two of the small towns around the lake.

"When the band set up, you get a sense of how well we work as a team.

"The equipment we use would be far too heavy for one person to lift and yet we manage to set up in a little less than an hour by working together.

"When I leave UVHS, the bands will definitely be what I miss the most."