Thomsonfly competition winners wow Salzburg with tribute to Mozart

30.01.2006 Two young musicians from the Midlands wowed Salzburg with clarinet duets on the anniversary of the composer's birthday.

Stephen Williams (15) and Catherine Winch (18), both from Tamworth were the lucky winners of the Thomsonfly 'X Factor' style Classical Idol competition. The duo's prize was to play their clarinets on the Thomsonfly flight to Salzburg last Friday (27th January) - the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth and the biggest celebration in the city's history. The young musicians were free to enjoy the day of celebrations in the beautiful Austrian city and stayed in a four star hotel before returning on the flight to Coventry on Saturday morning.

The day was a momentous event for the two musicians, not only the experience of playing their instruments onboard an aircraft inflight but it was the first time Catherine had flown and Stephen had not flown since he was three years old. The young musicians played their clarinets individually and the forward and aft entrances to the aircraft as passengers boarded the aircraft then entertained passengers. Catherine and Stephen were congratulated by Captain Rob Walmsley who thanked them for their music.

Both Catherine and Stephen excel in playing a range of musical instruments including the saxophone and piano as part of Staffordshire Performing Arts.

Catherine said, "Playing on the flight was a very enjoyable experience, especially because it was my first flight. It was very intimate, playing on the aircraft, very different to concerts where we usually perform." She continued, "Not many people can say they were in Salzburg on Mozart's birthday, especially his 250th. It was great to have the opportunity to play." She thanked Thomsonfly for the experience.

The competition was run to celebrate the landmark year in Salzburg's history. The city will have concerts, celebrations and special events for the whole of 2006 and because of this Thomsonfly will be flying to Salzburg from Coventry for the whole year, rather than stopping the flights at the end of April as had happened previously.

Upon arrival in Salzburg Catherine, Stephen and their travel companions were able to explore the exciting city which was brimming with all things Mozart and the world's media in attendance to capture the special day. Eager to play, after the early morning inflight warm up, the pair's Mozart duets attracted a crowd that swelled to around 100 people in the central square, at the foot of a statue of the composer. When they visited Mozart's Birthplace Catherine and Stephen were given special permission to be able to play, where they were filmed for Austrian television. They also got a mention in Saturday's national Telegraph newspaper.

People from the Midlands can enjoy the celebrations of Mozart's birth with Thomsonfly. The airline is operating flights 5 times a week to the Austrian city and one way fares start at £22.99 which includes taxes and charges at www.thomsonfly.com