Jul 15

Written by: ngreditor
7/15/2009 9:08 AM 

Newman Grove sends Music students to Europe

Jake Kaufman

Jake Kaufman enjoying himself in Europe

I recently returned from a three week tour of Europe. I was a member of the Nebraska Ambassadors of Music Band and Choir.

The 330 students, staff, and adults from across Nebraska traveled to England, France, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy, and Germany. The group consisted of two bands, a string orchestra, and choir. While traveling, the group was able to see many wonderful sites, but our main goal was to bring good will to these countries.

In England, we toured to London, Windsor, Greenwich and the English Channel. The choir performed at Wesley’s Chapel in London. The bands performed at the Victoria Embankment along the Thames River.

In Paris we went to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame. The group then traveled to St. Severin Church, where the choir performed. The bands were supposed to play in Luxembourg Gardens, but that concert was rained out.

In Switzerland, we toured the Castle of Chillon located near Lake Geneva. All the groups gave a two hour concert in the town tent in Crans, Montana. The next day we traveled to Zermatt to see the Matterhorn.

We then traveled to Austria, making a stop in Liechtenstein. Our destination was the Austrian village of Seefeld. The next day we traveled to the Valley and into Innsbruck. While there we saw the very unusual Wilten Basilica and the historic Winter Olympic Games Site. The choir sang in the Basilica. We then went back to Seefeld where the bands held a one hour concert in the park. The String Orchestra and Choir presented a one hour concert at St. Oswald’s Church.

On day 13 we traveled to Venice, Italy, where we got a tour of the wonders of the city. They included the Grand Canal, gondolas, the Bridge of Sighs, and St. Mark’s Church. Our last stop was a glass blowing factory.

We made it to our last country which was in Germany, stopping in Munich for lunch. We stayed in Rothenberg, O.T.

Our two bands then performed the final concert in the Market Square. (This was broadcast via the webcam on the Internet). The concert was cut short due to rain. The choir sang at the Franziskanerkirche (translation- the Franciscan Church).

Eighty-nine staff, students, and parents then traveled to Greece while the rest of the Ambassadors returned to the States. While in Athens, we toured the Acropolis Museum which had just opened the day before our arrival. We also went to the Plaka, Acropolis, the Parthenon, and saw where the first Olympic Games were held. We took a 13-hour cruise on the Aegean Sea, making three stops at the islands of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina. Finally, we went back to Frankfurt, Germany, where we flew back to the United States.

I would like to thank Mrs. Tami Texley (my band and choir instructor) for nominating me for this once in a lifetime opportunity. It was a fantastic experience that I will never forget. I have made many new friends through this adventure. It was a lot of work with the practicing and the grueling two day camp on June 6 and 7, but it was well worth it.

Copyright ©2009 Newman Grove Reporter