By Amanda Amsel
Staff Writer
A group of students from central Ohio will be taking Europe by storm this summer thanks to a collaboration with a national music program.
Twenty five students from central Ohio have been selected to participate in the 2016 American Music Abroad Liberty Tour of Europe from June 27 to July 16.
“These students were nominated by their choir teachers, band directors or by the honor groups they are a part of,” said George Edge, former band director at Grove City High School who will be accompanying the students on the trip. “The students will be participating in this event with students from all over the United States.”
Central Ohio students who are participating come from across the community, according to Edge. Many are students in the South-Western City Schools District.
The students are performing in either a choir, band or orchestra during the tour. However, according to Edge, some will be performing in multiple groups.
“The students are separated into these three categories based on their talents,” he said. “They will be a part of these ensembles with students from across the United States, including states like New York and Tennessee.”
During the tour, students will travel to places like Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy and perform free concerts. The concerts will take place in concert halls, cathedrals and town squares.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these students,” Edge said. “To be able to perform in the same cities as Mozart and Beethoven is such an amazing experience, especially for students this young.”
The students who will be going range in age from 15 to 18 years old, but have talent that exceeds their age.
“These students were selected because they are very gifted,” Edge said.
The cost for each student to go is approximately $5,600. This cost is the responsibility of the student or their parents, putting a large burden on these families. As a result, several parents have banned together to form a fundraising committee to raise money so every student can go.
“Right now we are sending out letters to local businesses and organizations asking for donations,” said Pam Wittenberg, coordinator of the fundraising committee for this trip. “We also are holding a benefit concert at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 3 at Bethel Lutheran Church, 4501 Hoover Road in Grove City.”
During the concert, the students who are going on the trip will give a sampling of some of the songs they might be performing during the tour. According to Wittenberg, while the concert is free, they are asking for donations.
The committee also is partnering with local businesses to get a portion of proceeds from their sales donated to the trip. Parents of the students also are going to be donating themed baskets that will be raffled off during the concert.
If you are interested in donating to the central Ohio students who are participating in the 2016 American Music Abroad Liberty Tour of Europe or want to learn more about the trip, contact Pam Wittenberg at 614-579-7285 or at pnp.wittenberg@gmail.com.
