The Trip: 7 - 24th July 2016

The New Zealand troops in WW1 played
a significant part in the re-taking of these French towns and the French have never forgotten. The friendship and honour of those terrible times has endured for 100 years, and it would seem almost a betrayal of their offer of hospitality to fail to respond. Please Help to Make it Happen!

This invitation by the mayors of these towns to play a series of civic concerts to honour the 100 years of the fallen in WW1 is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The towns also offered to billet (home-stay) the orchestra members in order to keep the costs down to make the trip possible. The orchestra played a number of concerts in Paris, Lyon, and Versailles, as part of the centennial, including France’s national day 14th July 2016.

thanks for helping make it happen!

The players in the orchestra are ordinary Kiwis with an extraordinary will and talent who wish to be a part of a symphony orchestra. But this trip was much bigger than just a concert tour in France, and more than the players, the conductor and the management ever thought possible. The diplomatic ties, the history of the first world war, the 100 year celebrations back in New Zealand, and of course the music; this trip had it all .....

This 100 year celebration and memorial involving New Zealand and France in WW1 was a once in
a lifetime opportunity. . 

All enquiries to:  
Pat Goddard tour director:

patgoddard@xtra.co.nz  Ph:8460230;  Mo:21 622044.

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