P&O Cruises takes ‘gift of music’ to children in the South Pacific

Members of the orchestra, aged between 11 and 25, distributed more than 100 musical instruments to schools in Noumea and Port Vila, with the help of P&O which also donated drum kits.

'Absolute joy'

Pacific Encounter’s Capt. Roger Bilton described the voyage, which included a special performance on board for the passengers, as ‘an absolute joy.’

‘It’s not every day we have a full orchestra travelling on board and transporting such precious cargo for a noble cause,’ Bilton said.

Tour organiser Wayne Thomson, VP of the BRYO, said the gifted instruments will inspire children in the South Pacific to learn the gift of music.

Smiling faces             

‘The trip has been a lot of hard work by our members and P&O, but it was worth it to see the smiles on the kids’ faces as we surprised them with their own musical instruments,’ Thomson said.

‘We’re humbled to be able to share our passion for music with others and hope that they can continue developing their own skills with these new instruments,’ he said.