BEDFORD – Three talented music students from Bedford North Lawrence High School, along with their director, recently embarked on a remarkable musical tour across five European countries. Jacob Burrus from the band, along with Maddie Hallat and Olivia Lewis from the orchestra, accompanied by BNL Music Director Jim Jones, joined other Indiana music students to perform a variety of musical pieces throughout the trip in June.
The contingent of Hoosier musicians included two bands (Gold and Blue), a choir, and an orchestra. Before departing for Europe, the students spent three days in Indianapolis practicing their repertoire and getting acquainted with one another.
Their journey took them to England, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, with performances in each of these locations. In the U.K. and France, the bands performed separately from the orchestra and choir. Notable venues for the band included the Embankment Gardens in London and the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. The orchestra and choir graced the Holy Sepulchre Church in London and the Madeleine Church in Paris.
In Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, all groups performed together, with significant appearances at the Andermatt Concert Hall in Switzerland, the Ammergauer Haus in Oberammergau, Germany, and the iconic Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, Austria. The Mirabell Gardens hold particular historical and cultural significance as a backdrop for scenes in “The Sound of Music.”
Beyond their performances, the students also had ample opportunities for sightseeing. Their itinerary included visits to prominent landmarks such as Windsor Castle and the Tower of London in England, as well as the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame in Paris. In Switzerland, they ascended Mount Pilatus and explored the city of Lucerne. A stop in the small country of Liechtenstein provided a unique lunch and sightseeing experience en route to Germany. While in Germany, the group toured the Dachau concentration camp and the picturesque Neuschwanstein Castle. The trip concluded in Austria with a walking tour of Salzburg and a farewell dinner.
Article written by Jacob L. Burrus
