The members of SMO are studying diligently (and having fun) in Altenhausen (Germany) this week

SMO - states for Sinfonische Musikschulorchester des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt, but if you are not familiar with the German language here comes the translation to English: Symphonic Music School Orchestra of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

This is a wonderful project that apart from gathering young musicians from more than 20 music schools in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, welcomes also Spanish students since last autumn. I wrote about it here when my son participated in that one-week-long experience with German musicians. They worked hard and had two concerts in the end, but most importantly they met a different method of practising, of rehearsals, and they learned about the language and cultures of each other. It was a great feeling and after the concert, the organizer invited the Spanish students to this new encounter, which is happening right now in Altenhausen (Germany).

Our son wanted to go and work again with them so we didn't think twice. The secretary of the conservatory where my son studies the violin was the one who would take them to Germany. His wife also signed up and six students in total. We bought together the plane tickets and sorted out all the necessary documentation that our children needed (international health care cards, authorizations, transportation etc). So we had two adults to take care of six teenagers during the travel and the stay in Altenhausen. (Good luck to them 😁)

The day of travel came. Actually, night. We had to get up at 2:55 a.m. this Sunday, after a few hours of "sleep". You can guess that it was a very weak sleeping time though, I felt I was awake for the whole time but tried to have my eyes closed at least.

My son packed the previous night. The suitcase was already full and the backpack was half-empty at the moment this photo was taken, but later it was also filled with stuff!

That night we went to pick up one of my son's friends, so not all the parents had to drive to the airport. We were waiting for her. Do you see the time? ... the clock in the car shows 3:27. We agreed to meet at 3:25 but two minutes of delay in nothing here in Spain. The good thing is that in these hours there was no one on the roads and even the highway was empty. No traffic jams so the trip was smooth and quick.

We met all the other travellers (two adults and the rest of the students - my son's classmates from the music conservatory) at the airport of Alicante-Elche. The flight was already announced for 6:00 but they had plenty of time to pass the control and wait in the terminal. Yay, I didn't cry when we said goodbye hahaha. My baby is growing up - he will know how to take care of himself.

A little detail from the airport before my husband and I went for the car and headed home. This is a replica of a famous sculpture, Dama de Elche. This lady is an Iberian artefact from the 4th century BC, that was found close to Elche. The original sculpture can be found in the National Archaeological Museum of Spain in Madrid.

From the moment we said goodbye to our son, we are waiting for every message he is sending us.

Here our baby was flying above the clouds and the sun was coming out. What is happening with the horizon? Is it crooked? Is it leaking to one side? 😂

My son sent me this photo

The flight was good, they arrived at Berlin airport with a few minutes of delay because of the wind but everything else was good. From the airport, they took a bus and this is the moment they arrived at Altenhausen. Students from other places were arriving too.

I know they were excited but tired, as no one slept on the plane!

My son sent me this photo

So where are my son, his friends, and the rest of the students now?

As I wrote, they are in a tiny village called Altenhausen, in the middle of fields. There is almost nothing around! That is what I saw on the map and what my son also confirmed to me when we talked yesterday. But the very nice thing is that they are based here. Isn't it like in a fairytale?

This is the castle where they sleep, and have all the food (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) and the rehearsals.

My son sent me these photos

This is the third day they are there. Or is it the fourth day already? Oh, I can't count anymore. But this is what they do, basically for the whole day - studying the orchestra repertory. With some little breaks, of course!

The secretary of the music conservatory sent me this photo

Between all those hours of music, they are allowed and probably encouraged to walk a bit around in the break after lunch. The weather is not perfect, I mean it is not sunny but at least it is not freezing. He took a lot of warm clothes but in the end, he said that would not use them. No need.

My son sent me this photo

Yesterday evening they had great fun. I received a bunch of videos, where these around 90 students were jumping, dancing, singing (oh, it was more screaming than singing hahaha) traditional Valencian medieval songs, played on two dulzainas! 😂

My reaction was bursting out of laughter!!

But so good to see them enjoying themselves and mixing different traditions and cultures.

I am wondering what this little creature thinks about all that music that is coming from the castle these days... Is he confused?

My son sent me this photo

Oh, right now while I am writing these lines, I got new messages from him! They are visiting the city of Magdeburg! In the afternoon they will be back, and they will continue with the practicing hours until late in the evening!

I will be still waiting for more updates from them, day by day... This Sunday they will be flying back and then he will be able to tell us everything with more details and what this intensive musical experience of one week meant to him.