Douglas Dispatch

Elizabeth Syson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Syson of McNeal, has been selected to perform with a national performing organization known as The Sound of America Honor Band and Chorus.

Elizabeth, who has served as first flute and sung Soprano, Alto, and Tenor parts with the Valley Union High School Band and Choir, also qualified for Southeast Arizona 2010 Regional Band, participated in Southeast Arizona 2010 Regional Choir and Arizona 2010 All-State Choir this past year, participated in the University of Arizona 2010 Honors Choir and the University of Arizona 2011 Honors Band, and participated in the Southeast Arizona 2011 Regional Choir.

She will join other select musicians chosen from applicants representing nearly every state when the Sound of America Honor Band and Chorus begins its 2011 European Concert Tour in July. Selection into the Sound of America membership is a distinguished honor for all participants. All applicants are carefully screened and chosen only after a rigid character and musical evaluation.

All student performers will meet on the campus of Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania on July 1. After four days of intensive rehearsal and orientation, the group will depart via jet from the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for Frankfurt, Germany. The group is scheduled to present nine performances in some of Europe’s finest concert halls and major cathedrals during its 23 day concert tour.

The students will experience the cultures of six countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Luxemburg. Some of the exciting locations that will be visited during the tour are Paris, Venice, Innsbruck, Cortina; Stresa, Verona, Rothenburg, Grindelwald, and La Chaux-de-Fonds.

Clyde M. Barr, Past State President of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and President of the North American Music Festivals which sponsors Music Festivals in Toronto, New York, Virginia Beach, Hershey, Cleveland, and Washington D.C., is Tour Coordinator and Conductor of the Honor Band.

Mr. Randall Yoder, an Emmy Award winner in music composition for television and Conductor of the York County Honor Chorus, York, PA, will serve as the Conductor of the Sound of America Honor Chorus.

Students who have qualified for the Sound of America membership are responsible for all costs involved with the trip. Frequently, however, local businesses and civic clubs who have an interest in helping deserving students will offer some financial sponsorship to the students representing their community.

The Sound of America Honor Band and Chorus, celebrating its 35th year in 2011, is recognized as one of the most successful European Concert Tour programs in existence. It has received international acclaim for its exemplary success in achieving outstanding cultural relationships with European countries. The Sound of America has been the recipient of letters of commendation from former United States Presidents George W. Bush; Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, former Under-Secretary-General to the United Nations Dick Thornburgh, former Governor of Pennsylvania and U.S. Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The Sound of America, Inc. is registered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit corporation.