TPO and TPSC Gdansk Tour 2026 – A Spectacular Community Music Adventure
The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) returns to Gdansk, Poland, on tour this summer, but it will be different and on a far bigger scale to their last Polish trip. Here’s a look ahead at what to expect.
When excited community singers with TPSC pack their bags and head off on tour this May school half term, they’ll be embarking on a journey of many discoveries.
New harmonies, friendships, sights and sounds no doubt lie ahead in the Baltic coastal city.
Places filled up quickly for the annual tour abroad, which is testament to TPSC’s ability to put together a well-organised trip for its members.
While the last Poland trip had around 90 people, word of mouth on how well that went and growing popularity for the tours means this time, there will be 140 people taking part.
During that previous tour to the beautiful city of Krakow, it was only singers in the The People’s Show Choir that took part, performing their songs for Europe at outdoor spots. This time, the tour will include over 15 keen musicians from The People’s Orchestra(TPO) alongside singers.
It will add another dimension to the community choir tour and “raise performances to another level” with both live music and song, according to TPO Community Engagement Manager Chris Weber.
He plays a key role in organising the tour and added: “We’re really looking forward to going back to Poland. Some people are booking extra nights to make more of a holiday of it.
“The trip is all sold out with people on the waiting list in case anyone pulls out, that’s how keen everyone is to go.”
As tour organiser Chris will drive over to Poland in a van with all the necessary equipment in the days leading up to members arriving. He will then make the return journey after the tour, clocking up a staggering 2,500-mile round trip.
Before that, he is busy with pre-tour preparations. They will once again include an outdoor dress rehearsal for everyone going in Birmingham city centre.
Passers-by will get the treat of hearing well over 100 of the TPSC and TPO members practising live in Chamberlain Square on Saturday May 16.
“It’s great to have so many orchestra members coming along this time,” added Chris. “We’ve arranged the orchestral music to cope with only 15 musicians to make sure it works.
“This is all about providing our members with special experience and opportunities. As long as we have enough people taking part, it will be a good performance.”
Choir camaraderie on tour
An essential part of the community orchestra and choir tours is to nurture camaraderie and bring everyone together regularly. There’s the option to explore separately, but knowing that the TPSC family is there as a base every day.
With that in mind, members will stay together across two hotels and all will meet up to eat together in the evenings for dinner.
And with so many taking part, the restaurants won’t know what’s hit them with a TPSC and TPO takeover. It’s sure to be a friendly and lively atmosphere at mealtimes, as will the outdoor venues in the streets of historic Gdansk.
What to expect from Gdansk
Chris, whose family heritage heralds from Poland, explained: “Gdansk is one of the treasures of Poland.
“It’s really beautiful and is fascinating with links to the start of the Second World War and also the fall of communism.
“Those on tour will be performing in public once again on the streets of Gdansk, encouraging locals to stop and listen. We were overwhelmed by the response from the public in Krakow, so we’re excited to see the welcome we get in Gdansk.”
For beautiful scenery and a musical treat, there’s delightful Oliwa Park to enjoy with botanical gardens. At its heart is Oliwa Cathedral, which has a famous great organ, designed and constructed in the 18th Century by Johann Wilhemn Wulff. It’s also the longest Cistercian church in the world with magnificent architectural delights at every turn.
Those musically-minded will be interested to know there are 20-minute organ concerts at the Cathedral, normally every hour during the summer season.
The organ originally contained 83 registers with 5,100 pipes, three manual keyboards, one foot keyboard, a mechanical tracker action and 14 wedge-shaped bellows.
It has since been updated and although the front pipes are still those made by Wulff, the Rococo organ now has 96 registers, five manuals, a pedal, an electro-pneumatic tracker action and also an electronic system recording up to 64 combinations, making it one of the biggest organs in Poland.
Among the other sights are the 17th Century Neptune’s Fountain in Dlugi Targ near the Gothic Town Hall, which has a roof walk in its tower giving stunning views of Gdansk from its 50m perch.
There’s more steps – over 400 – to the bell tower gallery at beautiful St Mary’s Basilica. It is the largest brick church in the world and stands loftily over the colourful houses of the city.
The Museum Of The Second World War and European Solidarity Centre are a must for history lovers spanning WW2 to revolution and the fall of communism in Europe.
While a tranquil, scenic escape can be found at Sobieszewo Beach, with 200 species of birds and seals found along its trails and nature reserves along with sandy beaches.
We’ll be updating you later in the year on how the Gdansk tour went, but if you are considering joining TPO and TPSC on an adventure, there’s also the European Cruise Tour in 2027 to Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Bruges from July 26 to 31 and you can find out more here.
The People’s Show Choir and The People’s Orchestra are community groups that welcome all for weekly, fun rehearsals during term time to help people relax, make new friends and feel the benefits of music. There’s also the chance to perform in the community and at iconic venues, along with the option to go on trips at home and abroad. Find out more here.
