OHS student to participate in National Honors Band

Jacob Barnby, the son of David and Mary Barnby of Onaway, has been selected to perform with the Sound of America Honor Band and Chorus.

Jacob currently plays in the Onaway High School concert band, marching band and jazz band. He also played with the Straits Area Concert Band in Mackinaw City over the summer.

Barnby will now join other select student musicians chosen from applicants representing almost every state when the Sound of America Band begins its 2009 European Concert Tour in July.

The students who were chosen after a character and musical evaluation will meet on the campus of Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania on July 3. They will spend four days in intense rehearsal and orientation before departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for Frankfurt, Germany.

The group is scheduled to conduct ten performances in some of Europe?s finest concert halls and major cathedrals during their 24-day concert tour.

Sound of America will take students to six different countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and Luxembourg. They will visit cities like Paris, Venice, Strasbourg, Innsbruck, Cortina, Str

esa, Verona, Rothenberg and Grindewald.

Students are responsible for all costs involved with the trip, however, local business clubs and civic organizations who have an interest in helping deserving students will often offer some financial sponsorship to students representing their communities.

This marks the 33rd year of the Sound of America tour and it is recognized as one of the finest and most successful European Concert Tour programs in existence. They have received international acclaim for their exemplary success in achieving outstanding cultural relationships with the European countries.

Anyone interested in helping to make Jacob?s trip a success should send a donation to 9092 M-68/33 Hwy, Onaway, MI 49765. The once in a lifetime experience is one that Barnby will surely remember. Donations should be made out to The Sound of America/Jacob Barnby.

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