Musical Scotland & England

Our 24-hour Tour Director will meet us at the airport and remain with us until our final airport departure. We will have use of a private coach and driver, while touring for the next seven days. We will continue to Glasgow (area), our base for the next two nights. Breakfast will be included at the hotel. Glasgow was named European Capital of Culture in 1990, something that might surprise many who do not know the city outside of its industrial reputation. It is the largest city in Scotland and the second largest in Britain; it is also filled with unique medieval and Victorian architecture, incredible art, traditional music and a well-respected university. It has been revitalized in recent years and is now a modern city ready to be explored. Enjoy a walking tour of Glasgow, which in 1990 was named European Capital of Culture. Walk along the River Clyde and see St. Andrew's Cathedral and the Glasgow Central Mosque. Continue through Glasgow Green, the city's oldest park, to see the former Templeton's Carpet Factory. The owner was first forbidden from building in the city as the factory would lower the character of the neighborhood; to get around this the owner chose to have his factory modeled after the Doge's Palace in Venice. This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.

Visit the National Scottish Piping Center and learn about the Great Highland Bagpipe, an ambassador for Scottish culture around the world, as well as other uniquely Scottish instruments like the Scottish Smallpipes, Uillean Pipes, Fiddle, Accordion, and Percussion instruments.

Visit Glasgow Cathedral, a church so well-regarded that in 1451 the Pope declared that a pilgrimage here would carry the same merit as one to Rome. The present cathedral, built in the 12th century, sits on the site of a monastery founded by St. Mungo, also known as Kentigern, in 550 AD. Explore the structure which features post-WWII stained glass, including the Millenium Window that is widely regarded as the most technically demanding stained glass windows ever produced. Our visit will also include the Chapel of St John the Evangelist and Blacader Aisle. This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.

Today we will have the opportunity to perform at a local concert venue.

Today we will travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh. Edinburgh is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most attractive cities, due primarily to its impressive medieval and Georgian districts and surrounding Lothian Hills. It is as famous for the arts as it is for its long and turbulent history. Both the Old and New towns are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Explore St. Cecilia's Hall, opened in 1763 and is the oldest concert hall for such a purpose. It is also the only place in the entire world where you are able to hear 18th century music in an 18th century concert hall played on 18th century instruments. St Cecilia's also contains an important collection of historic musical instruments, many of which are still able to be played in a concert setting!

For the next two evenings we will enjoy the convenience of our centrally-located Edinburgh hotel, where daily breakfast will be included. Tonight we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

Your concert performance is today in Edinburgh. Venue options include St. Giles Cathedral or Tynecastle High School Additional venues include Queens Hall, South Leith Parish Church, or St. Peter’s Church.

Walk through Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh’s first New Town. A modern thoroughfare runs along a beautiful park, featuring one of the first floral clocks and an iconic view of Edinburgh Castle. Shops range from high end fashion to the more traditional highland tartans and sweaters.

Visit Edinburgh Castle, a place filled with history, legend and lore. Our visit will include St. Margaret's Chapel, the State Apartments, the Great Hall and the Crown Chamber, which houses the Honours of Scotland (Scottish Crown Jewels).

Take a walking tour visiting the sites and haunts of some of Edinburgh's legends. Walk down Victoria Street, which served as inspiration for Diagon Alley, see the Elephant House Cafe where the first two Harry Potter books were written. See the state of the devout terrier, Greyfriar's Bobby, who guarded the grave of his owner for 14 years. Continue to Greyfriars Kirkyard, where you can find the headstones of some familiar sounding names; 'Moodie', 'McGonagall', and a certain 'Thomas Riddell Esq'. Then have some free time along the Royal Mile. Weather permitting; we will have the opportunity to climb Arthur's Seat for a spectacular view over the Firth of Forth. Tonight we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

We continue on our journey from Edinburgh to London. We will board a private coach for our transfer to the train station. We will travel by train from Edinburgh to London.

London is the largest city in Europe: quite a feat, considering its location on a relatively small island. London's location is perfect for an administrative, communications and trade center, as the Romans realized when they founded their city in AD 43. London is filled with countless historic and cultural treasures that meld seamlessly in this exciting, contemporary city.

The Musical Museum at Kew Bridge contains one of the world's foremost collections of self-playing musical instruments. From the tiniest of clockwork music boxes to the Mighty Wurlitzer, the collection embraces an impressive and comprehensive array of sophisticated reproducing pianos, orchestrions, orchestrelles, residence organs, and violin players.

For the next two evenings we will enjoy the convenience of our centrally-located London hotel, where daily breakfast will be included. We will enjoy our evening meal together in a local restaurant.

Enjoy a ride on the London Eye, which opened in March 2001 to celebrate the new millennium with fantastic views of the city.

Take a City Bus Tour, which will introduce us to many of the great landmarks of this cosmopolitan city upon the Thames. Journey out to Abbey Road, where we can recreate the iconic Beatles' album cover for ourselves. Stop at Buckingham Palace to view the fascinating Changing of the Guard ceremony. Two hallmarks of English culture are the monarchy and a marked degree of pomp and circumstance. Today, we will see both as we witness the daily changing of the guard in front of Buckingham Palace (subject to Guard schedule).

Your performance is today. Venue options for choral and instrumental include the great Southwark Cathedral. Located near London Bridge it is the oldest Cathedral in London dating from 1106. Lancelot Andrewes leader of the translators of part of the King James Bible is buried here, and John Harvard founder of Harvard University was baptized here in 1607. Due to the high standard required and the venue's own thriving concert series, there is limited availability for choirs at several world class venues, these include St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, and the historic St. Paul's Cathedral. Choirs of high standing seeking to perform in these venues need to book no later than twelve months in advance, and preferably eighteen months in advance. Options for groups that prefer a smaller venue include the Church of St. Botolph Without in Bishopsgate, which is also used for choral and instrumental workshops; St. Gabriel's Church in Pimlico, located in one of the elegant garden squares of Pimlico, a beautiful Gothic revival church with a very clear acoustic and surprisingly low reverberation; St. George's Church in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum; the Church of St. Giles Without in Cripplegate, and St. Paul's Church Covent Garden, which has an excellent acoustic and is a popular venue with our groups. Choral and instrumental groups and groups with a secular repertoire are welcome at the fine 18th century Christ Church Spitalfields, with its excellent acoustic and lighting system this is a good venue for instrumental groups. Other venues suitable for choral and instrumental groups include Union Chapel, an architectural treasure and home to a working community church and an award winning venue; Hinde Street Methodist Church in Mayfair, where John and Charles Wesley preached, also has an outreach program to assist the homeless and welcomes the involvement of choral and instrumental groups, as does the historic Wesley Chapel where John Wesley preached until his death in 1791. Wesley's London home is adjacent to the chapel and is well worth a visit. The historic Royal Hospital Chelsea (a care home for British Veterans) also welcomes instrumental and choral groups seeking a community venue. For groups touring at the end of June and seeking a festival experience, the annual Borehamwood Festival is heavily promoted by the Town Council. Performances by US groups in particular are made very welcome at the Festival's Allum Hall. Borehamwood is about 15 miles from central London, and is home to the world famous Elstree Film Studios. The town nevertheless has an ancient linage. In 1188 Pope Clement granted to the kitchen of the monastery the whole land of Elstree. He also gave to the Abbey the wood of Boreham. For groups whose performing preference is a major concert hall, Cadogan Hall in Chelsea has hosted performances by such world class ensembles as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Choir of St. John's College Cambridge, The Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, and such notable pianists as Leif Ove Andsnes and Angela Hewitt. Central London has several venues suitable for groups wishing to enjoy an outdoor performance. These include the elegant Victoria Embankment Gardens adjacent to the River Thames in the heart of the capital, and Parliament Hill at Hampstead Heath where there is a fine panoramic view of central London. We will enjoy our evening meal together in a local restaurant.

Our rewarding and enjoyable tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day. Or, opt to extend your stay. Please note that the sightseeing content may be amended or eliminated in order to facilitate the best possible concert arrangements for your group.

Extend Your Stay | 2 Day London Extension & Concert Performance

Don’t end your stay in England just yet! Add extra days to explore this amazing European city. Check out some of the places you loved or explore new locations throughout the city. You will also have a chance to perform again!