Fabulous Gdansk music tour something we will all treasure.

This year’s annual People’s Show Choir and Orchestra tour has been named ‘the best yet’ after a thrilling trip to Poland. Community singers and musicians taking part spoke of making new friends and treasured memories on the adventure to Gdansk.

Members from The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) were joined by musicians from The People’s Orchestra(TPO) for the annual trip, this time to the Polish coastal city.

TPO tour leader Chris Weber, who organised the 2026 trip, said it had been an “exhausting but brilliant trip”. Joining him behind the scenes was TPO videographer Rosie, to capture those special moments.

The performers were such a hit in the Polish city that tourists and members of the public even stopped to record them on phones.

“Our performances went really well,” said a delighted Chris. “We met a couple from Sheffield who saw our first performance and then came back for our other two.

“When you have people stop and watch the whole performance, you know it’s going well.”

An eclectic range of songs were performed on the pretty streets of Gdansk that summed up TPSC’s signature pop tunes. They ranged from Mama Cass to Katrina And The Waves, Elton John and Bon Jovi.

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“This was the best tour we have done by far,” gushed Chris. “It was a lot more relaxed for everyone. They all loved Gdansk and feedback was that they didn’t expect the city to be as nice as Krakow, but it was better.

“Gdansk is a stunningly beautiful city in Poland with lots of history, so there was lots to see and do, along with good food. To top if all, there was beautiful weather of around 25C with blue skies and a sea breeze.”

“The performances were good, considering it was the first time everyone had all come together,” added Chris. “We did a rehearsal in Walsall before we went to Poland but not everyone could be there, like the Black Isle Choir members who live up in the Scottish Highlands.”

This tour was also the first time orchestra members had performed outdoors alongside the choir, something that comes with its own challenges.

“Two years ago when we went to Krakow, the orchestra members weren’t with us,” explained Chris. “The Scottish Highlands included musicians but that was all indoors, so this was the first time that our orchestra members had the outdoor performance experience on a trip.

“The orchestra got to experience how things really are different performing outdoors, and how sheets of music can fly everywhere. I’ve never seen so many clothes pegs and magnets to hold them down. We’ll look at how to solve that going forward.

“But what’s lovely about these trips is that we do several outdoor performances and by the last one, I can tell how much confidence everyone has gained.”

Sue Barnfield from West Bromwich and Halesowen TPSC enjoyed having musicians swell the ranks. Sue said: “The orchestra made all the difference. Together the choir and all the musicians made a wonderful sound.”

It was the first time singer Baz Oldershaw from TPSC Dorridge had taken part in the annual tour and was overjoyed at the experience. Baz said: “As my first tour I was totally blown away by the whole wonderful experience.

“The tours were fab, as were the hotel and yummy food. The singing was fantastic. Me and our Dorridge gang, including my wigs, had a wonderful time. Something we will all treasure and remember for ever.”

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That echoed one of the highlights for Chris Weber. As well as everyone performing together, Chris enjoys seeing people bond, especially during mealtimes when they all unite to eat and chat.

“A really lovely part of our tours is when we all eat together in the evening,” added Chris.

“This time we ate in some fabulous places, one restaurant was in an underground cellar and another had a microbrewery in it.

“The beauty of the TPO tours is that it allows people to sit with a variety of people and form different ties. It’s about making new friends along with getting to know those in your regular choir better.

“Next year’s TPO and TPSC tour on a cruise has a lot to live up to now, but I feel we have stumbled on the right formula that suits all our members.”

Gdansk was the third annual tour for the TPO family, following on from Krakow and the Scottish Highlands. For 2027, the music tour will be on board a cruise ship with stop-offs in the Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, along with Bruges in Belgium.

The annual tour is one of many activities organised by TPO that help members encounter new places and experiences while making new friends.

Many of those returning from the TPSC and TPO music tour in Gdansk described feeling overjoyed and refreshed by the experience.

Vicky from TPSC Sutton Coldfield said it had been “a wonderful trip in a wonderful city”. She added: “Loved it all, including the singing, which was made even better by the fabulous orchestral accompaniment.

“Really appreciated all the chats, drinks and laughs with different people. Just great to be part of something so special.”

Sang Ambegaokar, a member of TPSC West Bromwich, added: “It was only my second time that I’ve accompanied the choir, my first was for Elgar at Christmas, and I loved every minute of it. Thank you all for being so brilliant.”

Sarah Holmes from TPSC Dorridge said it had been a “fantastic tour”, adding: “Chris[Weber], you wonderful man, what a wonderful experience you created and managed for us all.

“You and all the staff were absolutely amazing. Thank you to the orchestra and band members. You’re all fabulous. We’re so lucky to be able to sing with great musicians making the performance so special.

“Thank you also to new friends who made me feel so welcome whenever I joined you, it’s so great to meet such lovely people. Fond memories are flooding into my head and it will take a while to process it all.

“Looking forward to next year’s tour and an adventure on the high seas.”

If you are looking for a community group to enjoy creating music, make new friends or try new things, find out more about how to get involved with The People’s Orchestra and The People’s Show Choir at the website here.

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