Local musicians tour to sing, play in Europe

Eight local young musicians are part of a delegation of students representing Montana and North Dakota on a tour of Europe this month.

The students, which include five from Havre, two from Big Sandy and one from Inverness, are part of the Ambassadors of Music program. The organization has chapters in 42 states, and every second year it sends exceptional music students from throughout United States to perform in venues across Europe.

The musicians departed for Fargo, North Dakota, in two groups Tuesday and Wednesday, where they rehearsed before taking a flight out of Minneapolis today. They will then touch down in London and spend three days performing, as well as sightseeing, before embarking on the rest of their tour, which will include three days in Paris two days in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, four days in Seefield, Austria, and conclude with three days in Rothenburg Ob der Tauber, Germany.

Voyageurs International LTD, a Colorado based organization, handled the arrangements for the tour.

Though they were required to raise the funds for the trip themselves, that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm for these young globe trotters.

"I'm so excited," said Megan Smith of Havre. Smith has played the alto saxophone since she was in sixth grade. "My birthday is actually on the 14th so it will be really fun."

Havreites joining Megan on the trip will be Jerid Simonson who also plays the saxophone, his sister, Emily, along with two other Havreites Chris Steinmetz and Alara Vogel, who are singers who will also be on the trip.

Fifteen to 20 students were nominated to go on the trip, but only eight were able to make it. These young performers had to cover the expenses of more than $6,000 per pupil for the trip.

Megan was so interested in the opportunity that she spent last summer working two jobs, one as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Havre City Pool and a second as a cashier at the local Dairy Queen.

It will be especially exciting for Megan who, aside from Canada, has never been - let alone performed - outside the U.S. Despite her lack of travels, she remains undaunted by the prospect of performing for audiences overseas.

"It's just doing what I do best, playing my sax and hanging out with people," said Megan. "If I screw up, chances are someone else is going to get it right."