There are school trips, and then there are experiences that change the way a young person sees themselves. For the students of Caulfield Grammar School, international music tours have become exactly that, a cornerstone of musical identity, a rite of passage, and a memory that lasts long after the final note fades.
I sat down with Sharon Meehan, who served as Director of Music at Caulfield Grammar for 31 years, organising more than 15 international tours and building a partnership with Gullivers spanning over two decades. Having led her ensembles to the Summa Cum Laude International Festival in Vienna on numerous occasions, Sharon knows better than most what it truly means to take young Australian musicians to the concert halls of Europe and her insights into what these journeys do for students, both musically and personally, are nothing short of inspiring.
1. What does it mean for your students to perform in Vienna, a city so deeply connected to the history of classical music?
The Vienna International Festival provides our students with amazing opportunities to perform in some of the best concert halls in the world, opportunities that are genuinely rare. Beyond the performances themselves, the festival offers unique workshops and the chance to meet and share experiences with students from all around the globe. The opportunity to perform in the Musikverein is definitely a big drawcard, and it has a real effect on how our students approach rehearsals. Knowing where they will be performing encourages them to lift the bar and truly perform at their best
2. How does participating in an international festival like Summa Cum Laude change the way students approach rehearsal and performance preparation back at school?
The impact begins long before they set foot on stage. Once students know they'll be performing in one of the world's most prestigious concert halls, the energy in rehearsals shifts. There's a collective commitment to excellence that is difficult to manufacture in any other way. The festival sets a standard and our students rise to meet it.
“The level of performance and musicianship of our ensembles always improves when we are travelling together. It's a combination of factors, knowing each other better, sharing experiences, being truly present in the "city of music," and walking in the footsteps of the great composers. Travelling together allows our students to become a genuine team, where everyone is integral to how well the ensemble performs'".
3. What impact does performing alongside ensembles from around the world have on students' confidence and musical perspective?
It's transformative. When students share a stage or a workshop space with peers from different countries and cultures, they begin to understand that music truly is a universal language. It broadens their perspective in a way that no classroom lesson can replicate, and the confidence they gain from holding their own on an international stage stays with them.
4. Is there a performance moment or venue from a past tour that students still talk about today?
The Musikverein is a definite highlight and a once-in-a-lifetime moment that past students still talk about years later. Salzburg is also deeply loved and fondly remembered. There is nothing quite like walking through the cobbled streets of Salzburg as a musician, instrument on your back, knowing you are following in the footsteps of Mozart himself.
5. Beyond the performances themselves, what role does travelling together through Europe play in shaping the identity of your ensemble?
The level of performance and musicianship of our ensembles always improves when we are travelling together. It's a combination of factors, knowing each other better, sharing experiences, being truly present in the "city of music," and walking in the footsteps of the great composers. Travelling together allows our students to become a genuine team, where everyone is integral to how well the ensemble performs. And the sightseeing along the way allows students to gain a deeper understanding of our world seen through the eyes of a musician.
6. Have you noticed students returning from the tour with a different sense of what is possible for them musically or personally?
Yes, absolutely. Students return with a renewed passion for playing their instrument or singing, and they also realise that they are not the minority. They start to view themselves as musicians, not because it is something extra or special, but as an integral part of who they are. Having travelled independently of their parents also allows students to develop real independence, to communicate, adapt, get along with peers, build resilience, and gain a stronger sense of purpose.
7. Why has your school continued to prioritise opportunities like Summa Cum Laude as part of your music program?
Caulfield Grammar has been performing at the Summa Cum Laude for many years, and it has become a consistent rotation in our music program and school calendar. We run an international tour every two years, cycling between our Strings ensemble and our Wind Ensemble and Choir in alternate years. This rhythm means students and families can plan ahead for the expense, and they genuinely look forward to when it is "their turn." Nothing beats parent-driven passion for getting things off the ground!
Performing in exceptional concert halls and visiting remarkable music cities is simply not something we can offer within our everyday program and that is exactly why these tours matter. The standard of our ensembles continues to improve, and retention on instruments remains high. The tour doesn't just complement our music program. It elevates it.
For music educators considering an international tour, Sharon's experience with Gullivers speaks to something beyond great logistics. It speaks to transformation. Gullivers' Youth Music Tours are designed to place student ensembles whether choirs, orchestras, concert bands or chamber groups on world-class stages at prestigious festivals like Summa Cum Laude and the European Summer Music Festivals, taking in iconic cities such as Vienna, Salzburg, Prague and Munich.
Every tour is thoughtfully built around your school's program, with inclusions such as expert-led workshops, festival competitions, masterclasses with professional musicians, cultural excursions, and dedicated tour leadership from start to finish. But the real value lies in what happens to your students along the way, the renewed sense of identity, the leap in musicianship, the friendships forged, and the memories that will last a lifetime.
If you're ready to take your music program to the world stage, explore Gullivers' Youth Music Tours or get in touch with our team to start planning your school's next great adventure.
Sharon Meehan served as Director of Music at Caulfield Grammar School for 31 years, during which time she organised more than 15 international tours and built a long-standing partnership with Gullivers spanning over two decades. She has competed at the Summa Cum Laude International Festival in Vienna on numerous occasions.
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