by AdminAFO | Mar 30, 2015 | International Tours
A return to Europe, revisiting some venues from our last Tour in 1989 but with lots of new and exciting additions. 75 of the 120 members of the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra boarded two Dodds coaches with their fiddles, cellos, basses , guitars, accordions, whistles and drums on Sunday 30th June to head for a fantastic Concert Tour of Europe with the first stop in Strasbourg where they performed for the EU Parliament. Then they travelled onto Lichenfels in Bavaria – Prestwick’s Twin Town, Switzerland where they visited CERN and gave a performance of a specially composed tune to commemorate the discovery of the famous Higgs Boson Particle, Paris with a day in Ayr’s Twin Town St Germain-en-Laye, Disneyland and finishing in Brussels. “The Europe 2013 tour has been one of the best experiences of my life and I will remember it forever” says 12 year old orchestra member Matthew. You can see some of the exciting performances the orchestra gave whilst on tour on YouTube. Tour Itinerary Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra Europe 2013 Depart Sunday 30 th June – Return Wednesday 17 th July (17 nights) Strasbourg Lichtenfels Zug / Lucerne Geneva Paris Brussels Date Activity / Arrangements Overnight Sunday 30 th June 8.30am Leave Prestwick for Hull (271 miles) 4pm – Arrive Hull 6.30pm – Ferry departs Hull Dinner on ferry FERRY Monday 1 St July Breakfast on ferry 8.45am – Arrive Zeebrugge 9.45am – Depart Zeebrugge for Strasbourg (342 miles) 6.30pm – Arrive and check in to Ciarus Hostel, Strasbourg Evening meal in hostel Rehearsal in conference room at hostel Free time in hostel STRASBOURG Tuesday 2...
by AdminAFO | Mar 25, 2015 | International Tours
In late June, the orchestra boarded flights taking us to New York, followed by journeys to Vandalia in Ohio (twinned with Ayrshire’s own Prestwick), Atlanta and Newnan in Georgia and finishing in St. Pete’s Beach on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. We left from Scotland and arrived in Manhattan; New York City – where we enjoyed the sights and sounds including, United Nations, Grand Central Station Shopping at 5th Avenue, Macy’s etc. We had a wonderful Dinner at Dallas BBQ, had a beautiful Circle Line Boat Tour for Statue of Liberty etc. and did some sightseeing in Times Square, while also fitting in a visit to Rockafeller Centre, and an Open Top Bus Tour of New York sights. We then left New York and on two Coaches traveled to Vandalia Ohio. We were able to enjoy 4th July celebrations with hosts and have our first concert of the tour in Vandalia. The next day we had some fun at Paramount Kings Theme Park. Then we were back onto the Coaches from Vandalia to Newnan where we were greeted by our new Hosts. The Orchestra then took a visit into Atlanta to visit the Senate Building Atlanta, Coca Cola World, CNN Headquarters. We had a concert at Alpharetta High School before a Bus Transfer back to Newnan. AFO DAY!!!! We had two wonderful concerts in Newnan . The next day we had some free time with hosts and be able to attend Church with host families, before our Family Afternoon Concert after which we will spend some time at Fairground where we had a Farewell BBQ/Ceilidh. The next day...
by AdminAFO | Mar 23, 2015 | International Tours
The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra was honoured with an invitation by the Chinese Ministry of Culture to give a major Concert Tour of China in July 2009. This unique series of Concerts, organised and promoted by Huihuang Entertainments, was the first time a Fiddle Orchestra from Scotland had performed in China. Some Chinese music, specially scored for the Orchestra, was included and the Halls echoed to the playing and singing in Scots and Chinese of Auld Lang Syne at the end of each performance. Arriving in Beijing on Tuesday 30th June, 70 members of the Orchestra performed in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Huzhou, Hangzhou and Shenzhen before travelling to Hong Kong for the final part of the Tour. The Tour opened on the 2nd July with a Concert in the Beijing Concert Hall. Next was a morning performance on the 4th in the Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre and then on Sunday 5th in the Suzhou People’s Meeting Hall, followed on the next evening by a concert in the Huzhou Theatre. The magnificent auditorium of Hangzhou Grand Theatre was the venue on the 7th with the Chinese part of the Tour climaxing with a Concert in the dramatic surroundings of the 1,500 sell-out Shenzhen Concert Hall. The Orchestra then travelled to Hong Kong to conclude the tour. All the Concerts received wide and comprehensive publicity throughout China – posters, press, radio and TV – resulting in audiences of 1,200 to 1,500 at each venue. The visual spectacle of 70 young Scottish instrumentalists, each kilted with their own distinctive tartan, helped no end to develop the cultural exchanges between China and...
by AdminAFO | Mar 20, 2015 | International Tours
Summer ’05 The AFO Went Stateside! In late June, the orchestra boarded flights to take us to New York, followed by journeys to Vandalia in Ohio (twinned with Ayrshire’s own Prestwick), Atlanta and Newnan in Georgia and finishing in St. Pete’s Beach on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. WHAT WE DID…… July 1st – Arrived 3 hours late due to flight being delayed. However, got through immigration extremely quickly – no horror stories to tell! Arrived at the hostel located in an area called Manhattan Valley and checked in. After a pizza dinner – imagine a feeding frenzy at the zoo, we all took the subway to Times Square. Quite a journey with a group the size of the AFO but we managed it successfully. The orchestra were amazed at the sights, sounds and smells. A ride back on the metro to the hostel and straight to bed – without having to be asked!!! Everyone out for the count after around 24 hours being awake. Next morning woke for breakfast and again took the metro, this time to the Empire State Building. Rode the “Skyride” – a virtual helicopter trip over NY, before actually going up the building. Spectacular. Next was lunch then a visit to Ground Zero – very sombre and poignant. Trip back to hostel, via Central Park for some of the groups. A quick change into concert dress and then a walk to the church for dinner and rehearsal before the concert. A small (holiday weekend so everyone goes out of town) but appreciative audience enjoyed a great concert. After dessert provided by the church...
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