Dutch visitors create music with Wren students

This month we welcomed a group of 25 Dutch students from a large Christian college in Holland. The students spent a day with us at Wren, leading our assembly, exploring the Academy, experiencing lessons and making music as part of a samba workshop. At the end of the day our visitors left ‘sprinkles’ as a gift for the students they had worked with. These chocolate treats were enjoyed by all!

The following day a group of students from our Gospel Choir joined our Dutch friends in central London. We began at Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard before heading to St Paul’s. The beautiful weather allowed us to picnic outside before beginning our tour. Students were shown various parts of the cathedral including a staircase that featured in at least one of the Harry Potter films!  They also had the opportunity to work with one of the musical directors at the cathedral. This meant they were welcomed into the choir stalls and given opportunity to hear the sound they created as they sang in the cathedral. A longer workshop in the choir practice room included an introduction to Jerusalem, because ‘you don’t get much more British than this!’. It was then time to visit the Dome before saying our goodbyes.

The two days provided a great opportunity to meet young people from another culture and build friendships. We discussed life, faith and education, laughed and shared food. For a short time the world became a smaller place, and that has to be a good thing.