Brownhills choir honoured to perform at Menin Gate ceremony on music tour to Belgium
Students from Brownhills Ormiston Academy, part of Ormiston Academies Trust, have returned from a rewarding international music tour to Belgium, where they shared their musical talents through a series of public performances and cultural experiences.
44 students took part in the four-day trip, where they represented the academy through a series of moving and high-profile performances. The tour included three public concerts and a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to perform at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres – a world-renowned daily tribute to fallen soldiers of World War One.
Led by Associate Assistant Principal and Director of Music and Performing Arts, Mr Jack Pierce, students opened the ceremony with O Danny Boy and performed Fields of Gold as wreaths were laid, delivering a heartfelt tribute that deeply moved the 1,000 strong audience. Veterans and members of the public praised the choir, with one describing it as “the most moving performance” they had witnessed at the Menin Gate.
Students also had the opportunity to showcase their talents at two further public concerts during the tour. In De Panne, they performed to a packed audience in a beautiful town church, with passers-by drawn in by the music and the venue filled to standing room only. In Ostend, they took to the Wapenplein Bandstand, captivating market-goers and shoppers with a high-energy outdoor set. Crowds gathered throughout the performance, with many staying behind afterwards to compliment the students and ask for encores.
The tour was the latest chapter in the school’s long and proud tradition of musical excellence, and was described by staff and students as a truly unforgettable experience.
Jack Pierce, Associate Assistant Principal and Director of Music and Performing Arts, said: “It’s hard to put into words just how proud we are of our students. From the precision of their performances to the warmth and respect they showed throughout the tour, they were exceptional ambassadors for Brownhills. Performing at the Menin Gate was a profound experience, and the reception from every audience, whether in a historic church or a busy square, was a testament to their talent and hard work.”
Ross Doodson, Principal at Brownhills Ormiston Academy, said: “We are incredibly proud of our students – not only for their musical talents, but for the way they represented our academy with such maturity, teamwork and enthusiasm throughout the tour. Experiences like this are a powerful reminder of the opportunities we strive to provide at Brownhills: ones that broaden horizons, build confidence and inspire pride in what our young people can achieve. This was a truly special trip that will stay with them for years to come.”
