I had a really fun time in Liverpool over the weekend. It felt amazing to be a part of the Merchant Taylors' schools coming together to perform. My personal favourite part of the trip was going to the Beatles Museum on Sunday. It was fun to learn about the band. Seeing Leon and June from 'Gogglebox' in the hotel was an added bonus!

- Alex, Year 7

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Liverpool. Outside of rehearsals, we had the opportunity to socialise with the other ten Merchant Taylors' schools at the Metropolitan Cathedral, where we had the option to perform and get to know each other.

The bus journeys were as you can imagine - very loud and as Mr Lyons described, "like a Glee bus!" Overall, it was a fantastic trip that was greatly appreciated by all.

- Ellie & Yaz, Year 12

The trip to Liverpool was fantastic experience which I will carry with me forever. Arriving at the Merchant Taylors' schools, the members of the music departments managed the daunting task of pulling together an orchestra and choir consisting of students from eleven different schools from across the United Kingdom, most of whom had never met. Having never played in an orchestra larger than around ten people, this was something of a step up, and learning to play Puccini's Messa Di Gloria was challenging but so rewarding.

We were able to play in the Liverpool Philharmonic hall which made us all face fears and stage fright, but eventually, the exhilaration overcame all other emotions and we all showed just what Wallingford School can do with a rendition of Feeling Good better than we could ever have imagined. Working together with other Merchant Taylors' associated schools, the Puccini piece went seamlessly and there was a real sense of achievement among everyone.

- Edd, Year 13