8 – 14 July 2012

The venue for the Educational Visit 2012 will be near Autun, in the Cote d’Or region of France.  Autun is a wonderful region to visit, located near the southern edge of the beautiful Morvan Natural Park in the Burgundy region; approximately 300 Km from Paris.  The surrounding area contains  many sites of historical interest, Autun itself has Roman origins.

Our proposed venue is the Maison de Beuvray,  a dedicated centre designed for music ensembles.
More detailed information will follow, but if you would like to  look at the website of the centre, please visit www.maisondubeuvray.com

Mr Treherne and Mr Finnon  will be inspecting the venue and meeting the Mayor and Bishop of Autun later this term.

The 2012 Educational Visit will be organised in association with the Frances Benton Consultancy, which we feel will provide a more tailored visit.  We also believe that the cost of the visit will be similar or slightly lower than 2011 and we will also gain an extra day in France.  Final costing details will be available in the very near future.

The timing of the visit will also provide us with the chance to take part in celebrations prior to the 14th July.  Also known as Bastille Day, the fourteenth of July is the French National Day and celebrates the storming of the Bastille on 14th July 1789; during the French Revolution.  Festivities and official ceremonies are held all over France to celebrate this event of huge national importance.

 
Members of the Gateshead Youth Orchestra and Senior Wind Band, Paraffernalia, Strings Attached, Whickham Strings and Gateshead Viol Consort, will all be invited to take part in this educational visit so  early application will be essential.  We are holding a meeting on Tuesday 20th September for anyone interested in attending this visit.