2000 International Tour History: France
In 2000, BYSO's premiere ensemble, the Boston Youth Symphony, under the direction of Boston Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor and BYSO's Music Director, Federico Cortese, journeyed to France for two weeks on BYSO's 15th International Tour. One-hundred high school age students from New England participated on the tour, which began Monday, June 19, and ended on Sunday, July 2, 2000.
The tour to France began in Paris as part of La Fête de la Musique, a festival of music, performed at the Eglise St. Merri. The orchestra also performed as part of the prestigious Strasbourg International Music Festival in the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès. From Strasbourg, the orchestra traveled to the heart of the Loire Valley to be featured in the Sully-sur-Loire Festival. Students had the opportunity to visit chateaus and sightsee throughout this historic area. The orchestra then headed to Provence to perform in Le Val and tour Avignon. The tour continued in Montélimar as part of the Festival de la Voix et de la Guitare and in Roanne as part of the Printemps Musicale.
In addition to the concerts, students stayed with host families throughout the trip, which enable them to meet French students, sightsee and experience life in a French home.