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Local musicians look to tour London this winter

Paul Raymore
Truckee High alumni Brianna Lee, left, Lindsey Hines and Casson Scrowcroft now attend Chico State University.
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Three recent Tahoe Truckee High School graduates, now all members of the Chico State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, have the opportunity of a lifetime to travel and perform in England this winter.If, that is, they can raise the money for the trip.The ensemble plans to leave on its 11-day tour of London and York on Jan. 7, 2005, and the band is doing all they can to fund-raise beforehand. The London tour is designed to give the students a chance to rehearse with and perform for a number of musical groups in London and York, including the prestigious Royal Conservatory in London, the Royal Marines Band in Portsmouth and the University of York Band.

“It’s a really cool experience because for a lot of people in the band, this might be their one opportunity to get outside the country,” said Brianna Lee, a trombonist and 2001 graduate of Truckee High who is currently a junior at Chico State. “And to get to play with the people the caliber of the Royal Conservatory in London, that’s pretty world class.” Joining Lee in the wind ensemble are Casson Scrowcroft, who graduated from Truckee High in 2000 and also plays trombone, and Lindsey Hines, a sophomore flutist at Chico State and a 2003 Truckee High graduate.Hines expressed a similar motivation for wanting to go on the tour.”I’ve never really been abroad before. I’ve been to parts of Mexico, but never to Europe, and I’m really excited to go,” she said. “The culture should be real fun, and sharing music and playing; it’s just going to be a really great experience.”

The Chico State Wind Ensemble hopes to be able to bring all 47 members of the band on tour as well as any members of the public willing to pay their own way. And while music is the focus of the trip, when they aren’t playing, the group will have a chance to sightsee in London and York and take in some of the many cultural activities available in both cities. According to Hines, going to England with the band will be a great way to experience a new culture through a shared medium.”Music has always been a part of my life and it’s something that you can experience in any language,” she said, “and while we don’t have to learn a new one [language] to go there, being with a group of people who all share the same passion and being able to share a trip like that is just going to be so fun.”To make the tour a reality, the wind ensemble will need to raise approximately $80,000, with each student being responsible for $2,000 of that.



To meet that goal the band members have been talking to local businesses in the Chico area and looking for grants that might be available to help offset the cost. They also plan to play two concerts in the Chico area to raise money for the trip.In addition, the three Truckee students are looking for any local businesses or individuals who would be willing to help them make their tour of England a reality.To help the CSU Chico Symphonic Wind Ensemble finance their tour, call Wind Ensemble Director Dr. Royce Tevis at 898-5582. Checks can be made out to Chico State Band and sent to: Chico State Band, CSU Chico, 400 W. First St., Chico, CA 95928-0805.


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