Shepard Band Students Perform in Europe During International Music Tour

Fourteen students from Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos Heights, Illinois, traveled to Europe from June 14-28 as part of a 46-student ensemble representing nine Chicagoland high schools.

The students traveled together and performed throughout Europe. The trip was facilitated by Guardian Travel Group and the Senior All-Stars of Music Program. It was the first time that students from Illinois participated in a Senior All-Stars international performance tour. According to the Senior All-Stars of Music, the organization has been taking high school musicians on international performance tours for three years.

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Shepard Band Director Ken George said he worked with the band directors of Wheaton Warrenville South High School and Glenbard East High School to spearhead the statewide nomination process for students who were interested in attending. Directors nominated students who sent audition tapes. Students who were selected paid about $7,200 for the trip, with the cost funded through a combination of fundraisers and out-of-pocket payments.

Students from nine Chicagoland high schools participated: Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Oak Park and River Forest High School, Wheaton Warrenville South High School, Glenbard East High School in Lombard, Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, Northside College Preparatory High School in Chicago, Joliet Central High School, and Shepard High School.

Forty out of the 46 students who went had never traveled outside the United States.

"Going on this trip to Europe was such an amazing experience for me," said Shepard senior Bryanna Robinson. "I have always wanted to travel abroad, experience new things, and step out of my comfort zone. Who would've thought that I would be performing music in such beautiful places on top of that?"

The group traveled to Munich, Germany; Salzburg, Austria; Zurich and Lucerne, Switzerland; Paris; and London. Led by Tony Marinello, director of bands at Illinois State University, they performed one formal concert at a cathedral in Paris and another informal concert at Baroque Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, Austria (where legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once performed). The group visited sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Mount Pilatus in the Swiss Alps. A highlight for some was visiting Salzburg, Austria, where "The Sound of Music" was filmed.

"My experience in Europe is one I'll always remember," said Shepard junior Scarlet Dalzell. "It was so new and different, but exciting—especially with us getting to play special music in such amazing places."

The musicians played marches by John Philip Sousa, musical transcriptions from the musical "Wicked" and the operetta "Candide," modern pieces by composer Omar Thomas, Johann Strauss I's "Radetzky March," and transcriptions by Mozart.

Shepard Musical Director Ken George said the experience was humbling for some of his students since it was their first time playing alongside students from other high schools.

"It was the top performers from all the schools' bands," George said. "It was interesting seeing my students sit third or fourth chair instead of first chair.

"It took a little time for everyone to gel together, but once everyone got comfortable with the music and their seating arrangement, we put on some pretty good concerts," George continued.

George found himself in less familiar territory, playing his euphonium in the ensemble instead of doing his usual job of conducting the high school musicians. His role on the trip was band division coordinator, which meant he organized rehearsals and made sure everyone's instruments got to Europe.

The musicians performed during the heat wave in Paris and could not escape the humidity since air conditioning is less common in France. However, they were dressed in polo shirts instead of their usual ornate marching band attire.

"You're drenched in sweat in the end, but it was a fun experience," George said. "It was so nice to hear the group develop into a mature sound. Everyone in the ensemble contributed equally."

Students bonded during the trip. They roomed together and formed new friendships with students from other schools.

"At first, I was nervous about this trip because I knew no one, but it was so easy to interact with the people in this group because we shared so much in common, especially through music," said Shepard senior Daniella Almazan. "The trip was made 10 times better because of it! I made so many memories with all these people that I never really talked to before and had the best time."

George said he plans to do another trip to Europe in 2028. One thing he wants his students to remember about Europe is the historical significance of the places they visited. The students toured Dachau concentration camp, one of the first concentration camps built by Nazi Germany, where they walked through a gas chamber. George said the experience was sobering, as students learned about the number of people who were killed at the site.

The group also watched the London production of the musical "Hadestown" and visited the Olympic sites in Paris.

"It's one thing to read about Versailles, but it's another experience entirely to actually set foot there, walk through the Hall of Mirrors and explore the gardens," George said.

Shepard students said they'll never forget the things they saw and experienced together as a group.

"I will never experience everything I did with the exact same people ever again, so I know for a fact that this experience is going to stick with me for a lifetime," senior Bryanna Robinson said.