That’s a big coffin!” “Now I bet you wished you played piccolo!” For me, the Australian Youth Orchestra’s 22nd International Tour began trying to elegantly parade through domestic airports guiding a double bass in its flight case at the front, dragging a suitcase behind and with a bow case slung across my back – a look that always receives plenty of comments from passers by, to which I acknowledge with a sly grin and a slight head nod.

Musicians gathered in Melbourne for a quick tour briefing where there was much excitement as reunions were embraced. What followed can be collectively considered as a blurry commute where days folded into each other, sunrise and sunset were ambiguous as we crossed time zones, and fresh air was scarce. Two flights, one cross country coach ride (plus a flat tyre!) then ensued, amassing 34 hours of travel until we arrived in the quaint town of Ede, Netherlands. Many musicians joined us from Europe, where they were either travelling, living or studying. In total, we were a force of 97 musicians.