Day 9 and final day!!! - Dunblane

Hello!! Ellie here to give the final blog as we draw to a close on this March Tunnell tour.

Today marked the end of our second tour of Scotland as part of the Tunnell Trust. Bright sunshine greeted us as we began the day with a hearty Scottish brunch and then it was off to the Cathedral for our last concert. We have been so excited to finish off this fantastic tour with a visit to the eminent structure that is Dunblane cathedral (and the home of Andy Murray). Once again the warm welcome from the audience confirmed to us that their introduction to the incredible, and often strange sounds of the saxophone quartet went down very well.

What an experience this has been!!! We feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to visit Scotland and explore sleepy towns, lively cities, serene lochs and imposing hillsides: and all whilst doing exactly what we love! What has struck us the most has been the incredible kindness and hospitality shown to us by all of our hosts. Throughout both the Tunnell Trust tours, in January and March, we have met people who have led the most incredible lives and they have been generous enough to share their stories and experiences with us. The settings, the people and the music has been wonderful and this experience has really cemented our belief that we really do have the best job in the world!

Thank you to all of our incredible hosts, to everyone at the music societies and most of all to Tunnell Trust to making this all possible! It is four very tired but blissfully content individuals (and a new addition of a set of bagpipes) that will board the sleeper tonight taking us back home to London.

So for the last time…(for now)… Thank you Scotland, you have been brilliant! Over and out.

#LetsGoFerio

Glasgow, Lanark and Dunblane

Hello! Huw again for the next update -Today we had to rise very early and travel to Glasgow for an afternoon concert. I was the designated driver for the trip (yay!) and decided that it would be best to stop on the way for many coffees. The journey to Glasgow happened to be a very nice one, especially as we went over the Forth Bridge which excited Ellie immensely! We stopped for a coffee just outside Glasgow before heading towards Glasgow University to rehearse before the lunchtime concert. The views from the university over Glasgow were truly beautiful and we had a quick walk around the university campus before a quick rehearsal before the concert. We played a shorter programme with works by Glazounov, Albeniz, Francaix and Lago. The audience reaction was great! During the concert I once again asked if anyone had ever heard a saxophone quartet and 3 people said that they had (2 more than yesterday's concert!). We stayed behind after the concert and spoke with members of the audience and they were transfixed with how the sound of the quartet sounded. We played an encore of Addis Ababa and this was the highlight of the concert for most people... It definitely helped with the CD sales!
After the Concert we made it to our hotel, and very nice it was too! It was on the outskirts of Glasgow and very near to bars and restaurants. We then set off out into Glasgow, ate Spanish food and had a quiet evening talking about future plans for the quartet. We woke up very late in the hotel and made it to Lanark by Midday in time for a walk before rehearsing and it was absolutely stunning. We truly have been spoilt on this trip as Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. Ellie and I took a stroll and visited the falls of Clyde which was a waterfall near New Lanark. New Lanark is a village on the River Clyde. It was founded in 1786 by David Dale who built cotton mills and housing for the mill workers. Ellie was in search of some Kingfishers but unfortunately there weren't any to be seen! We climbed high above the gorge until we eventually reached the Waterfallls which didn't disappoint. We then decided to turn back to make it back in time for our rehearsal in the music room. The beautifully restored cotton mill had a music room which was big enough for concerts and it looked absolutely beautiful. We found out that we would be sharing the concert with some local pianists and in particular a young ten year old who was blind and was a phenomenal piano player. Then a quick dinner in the hotel followed and it was time for the concert. At the beginning of the concert I introduced everyone in turn and decided to introduce Shevaughan as Adele... This remained a talking point for the whole evening!
"Alaric I or II" felt very special and the atmosphere and setting really suited the music.
We spoke with many audience members on the way out and one member of the audience told us she loved how "incredibly weird and wonderful the concert was!". Another said it was "incredibly refreshing and beautiful". We then went home to our hosts and had cheese and biscuits before bed. I've decided that my favourite cheese is Camembert.. Shevaughans (Adeles) favourite cheese was Brie...
We had a lie in the next morning and decided to meet at a local coffee shop after breakfast. Ellie had already been for her morning run (I unfortunately was too lazy to get up). We then made our way to Jose's hosts house as he didn't make it for coffee. He was busy with his chanter, again and sat in the garden outside the summer house. The weather was absolutely beautiful and there wasn't a cloud to be seen in the sky. Shevaughan then had a spin in John's Jaguar which she enjoyed immensely and we decided what to do on our day off. We all voted that going to see the Kelpies was a great idea and have a picnic. We spent the rest of the day travelling to Dunblane and meeting our hosts. We all needed a good nights sleep before waking up early and playing an afternoon concert at Dunblane cathedral. 

Day 5 - Kirkaldy

Hello all, Ellie back again for a quick update before I turn in for the night ready for Glasgow tomorrow.

It was a bright start to Wednesday morning with a quick trip to the sea front to see how Kirkaldy matched up to the stunning sights we have seen so far during our time in Scotland. The beach was chilly but fine and we began to march up the beach accompanied by shrieking oyster catchers, only to discover we were a member short... Once again Jose had spied something he fancied and stopped in his tracks to take a look. On a closer inspection he was picking winkles from the rocks and collecting them for lunch later.... Ignoring the pleas of the rest of us not to eat the days findings, when back at the house he cooked them up with some sea water (possibly with a slight essence of petrol from passing cargo ships) and enjoyed his tasty lunch. Needless to say the rest of us did not partake in this delicacy... just this once.

After some of us filling up on the wildlife the beach had to offer it was time to head to the Old Kirk, a converted church, for the evening concert. After asking the audience if anyone had ever heard a saxophone quartet before and the answer being only one solitary man, we soon realised that the reputation of the entire saxophone world was on our shoulders. Fortunately the audience was won over and stayed attentive in their seats apart from the two ladies who needed to catch the last number 34 home. Once again the brilliant instrument has triumphed in Scotland! So after a brief but very successful stay in Kirkaldy we are all tucked up in our beds ready for what tomorrow has to offer. Bring on Glasgee!!!!

So the quartet decided it was time to give Shevaughan a shot at writing one of these blogs, so as I lay in bed after a scenic drive from Helensburgh to Kirkcaldy, with some stop offs

for exciting purchases (which I will tell you all about later) I will let you know what Ferio have been up to on day three in bonnie Scotland.

Waking up for our last day in Helensburgh, we were off to visit Cardross and Lomond School. Arriving at Cardross school with a lovely warm welcome, and the extremely well behaved Primary 6 children, we had another fun workshop based around the Pied Piper. An exciting volunteer read the story for the quartet and the class (very well I must say) as we took the class on a musical journey through the different sections of this piece. Seeing there faces light up as they hear a Saxophone quartet for the first time is always amazing to see. Heading to Lomond school and playing a mini concert to the school children was a great way to finish our time in Helensburgh. Hopefully we have inspired many children over the last 5 workshops, and have the next generation of Saxophone players on our hands, (even if one of the feedback forms said ‘the young Italian man was the best part of the workshop’ - we should have informed them he is actually Spanish).

Saying goodbye to our lovely hosts from the last three days, leaving with home made sandwiches and full up on lots of tea and cake, and of course Hilary's tirimasu, we have been truly spoilt in Helensburgh!

Next stop Kirkcaldy … although this  journey may have taken a little longer than expected! We initially drove to Stirling to see the beautiful Stirling Castle on route to Kirkcaldy, until Jose spotted a bagpipe shop. Parking the car up so Jose could go and take a picture of some traditional bagpipes, he returned to the car with not only a picture, but with the real thing .. He had purchased his very own bagpipes!! Serenading us in the back of the car, all the way from Stirling to Kirkcaldy, with what he thought was the beautiful sounds of the bagpipes, myself Ellie and Huw were not so impressed.

After two more fantastic workshops, a scenic route to Kirkcaldy, and the ‘sweet’ sound of Jose's bagpipe playing, we have arrived safely at our next stop. Once again welcomed with lovely hosts, we are all excited to see what Kirkcaldy will bring tomorrow. But for now I will sleep well, with the ringing of bagpipes still in my ears, and look forward to another exciting concert tomorrow. 

Helensburgh Day 2

Hello! It's me!... Huw :-)
We had an early start this morning and had a hearty breakfast to prepare for the day consisting of 3 workshops in Helensburgh. We started at Hermitage Primary School and prepared for our workshop based around the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The children were all so appreciative and happy that we were there. It's great to have the opportunity to inspire students and this plays a big part in the aims of the group. We took loads of pictures with pupils and they were fascinated with the instruments, especially the Baritone saxophone played by the great Shevaughan Beere! One boy was even smaller than the whole instrument.

Next was Rhu and Luss primary schools together which was a different workshop of a small concert of popular pieces with a little bit of history and interesting facts about the saxophone. I have to say that the knowledge of these pupils was amazing! We couldn't believe how bright they all were and we felt so happy saying goodbye when we left the lunch hall and 200 + children responded with a massive 'Goodbye' ! My favourite question from Ellie was 'who loves the saxophone?'. Everyone responded and said it was their favourite instrument!

Next we went to a slightly unfamiliar and different part of Helensburgh to visit John Logie Baird Primary School. We started the workshop which was based around familiar works along with anecdotes and facts about the saxophone. We all felt so at home in this school. The expressions on all of the children's faces when we played was pure ecstaticism and we couldn't believe it!
One little boy was dancing on the way out and was obsessed with the sound of the quartet. We finished the day on a real high and then realised it had only just begun! We had another lunch of fish and chips down by the coast in H
elensburgh (Jose was happy!) and then went to visit Loch Lomond.
We were completely blown away! Amazing beauty and views of the Ben Lomond. We would have loved to paddle but the water was soo cold! We stopped at a nearby cafe for an Earl Grey tea (and cake, shhhh!).

Back home we had paella made by Jose and played games after dinner. It was then time to rest before completing another two workshops tomorrow before making our way to Kirkcaldy. An Amazing day Overall!!! I will definitely be coming back to Loch Lomond to hike over the summer. Bye for now!

It was a welcome return to bonny Scotland yesterday morning. We made the brave decision of taking the sleeper from Euston to Glasgow which was enjoyed by some more than others. Unfortunately the small cabins are not comfortably hospitable for 3 people, 4 saxophones and luggage and the 6 foot something Huw Wiggin.

But we made it nonetheless and arrived at Helensburgh in time to catch England beat Wales in the rugby and then it was down to some hard work.

When programming this tour we really wanted to try something different and test the audience with some challenging repertoire (we will let you know how it goes down at the end of the tour). So armed with a programme ranging from Gavin Bryars, through the great Glazunov to Piazzolla, we were welcomed into the Victoria Halls in Helensburgh for our evening recital. The generous audience last night were incredibly receptive and supportive of the musical ambush that they were subject to. It was enjoyed so much that we were invited to a drinks reception for the music committee hosted in the oldest house in the town which has been warmly restored into a beautiful home with stimulating art strewn all over the walls.

This morning we are about to embark on a day of workshops at primary schools in the Helensburgh area which we are rather looking forward to. Education plays a very strong role within our musical career so having the opportunity to go into schools on this tour is fantastic. Coffee and ear plugs at the ready!!

And tour done! Thank you Tunnell Trust!!

---

Hello everyone!

Alena from Atéa here!

So, last night we had the last concert of the tour. The concert was so much fun and was also a great acoustics to play in – the sound just rang beautifully and we could just enjoy it. Thank you to the lovely audience of Isle of Arran for such a warm welcome!

Philip and Chris stayed at the Lucy’s and Ashley, Anna and I stayed at Jan’s.
Such beautiful view that Jan has from her house can really guarantee to set the day in a good mood! – you wake up from the sun shining through the window and see the sea with mountains!

After relaxed and healthy champion breakfast of porridge, coffee and fresh fruits, we quickly packed, said goodbye to Jan and set off to go to pick up Chris and Philip.

On the way to their host’s house, we could see fantastic view of Isle of Arran in the sun.

Then we’ve picked up boys, said goodbye to Lucy and drove to ferry.

We really have been so lucky with the weather during this leg of the tour!- it’s been sunny and bright the whole time! The ferry journey was so lovely!- so great to be able to go to the deck and enjoy beautiful scenery of Scotland! And there was a bird that was seeing us off from Isle of Arran!

And after that we’ve had coffee&teas and did some administrative emails.

When our ferry arrived into Ayr, we drove to Glasgow, gave back the car to the hire company and went on for lunch to the Handmade burgers to celebrate the end of tour. Yum yum

Then we went and did some little shopping to get some Scottish gifts and on to a train. Train journey as they are was rather long, but fun and lots of snacks – Atéa style. We (well, all other four, as I’m on lent) had invented a genius thing – making a hole in the Scottish snowballs and topping it up with whisky – they seemed to really enjoy that snack 
And now back in London (well, Anna stopped in Birmingham). I bet we all will be sleeping well tonight!

We are hugely grateful to the Tunnell Trust for this tour – it has been fantastic to play 8 concerts, meet local musicians and audience, discover different villages and cities of Scotland. During the tour, we have been to some places of real nature beauty – saw beautiful mountains, snow, fields, forests, lakes and seas. And it’s just been really great to do so many concerts in such a short term. It’s been a real marathon , but we did it. Thank you for such a great opportunit, Tunnell Trust and we hope to see you soon!