By Ailsa McCormick
Review Intern
Three Lake Orion students will be participating in the Blue Lake Fine Arts International Exchange Program this summer.
The goal of the program is to promote peace and understanding through the universal language of the arts.
These students are eighth graders Raymond Whittenberg, Jonathan Bukowsky and sophomore Zachery Monette.
‘I’m excited to go to a new place and meet many new people,? said Bukowsky, who is most looking forward to visiting Germany.
Many students auditioned over this past summer while they were at camp. Out of those students, approximately 350 will participate in the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp International Exchange Program 38th Annual European Tour.
‘I’m most excited for playing music and seeing sights of places I’ve never been before,? said Whittenberg who got accepted into marching band at the high school.
There are six performing groups with various talents such as singing and playing instruments.
This upcoming summer, they will tour eight countries from the Mediterranean Sea to the North Sea.
‘I’ve never been out of the U.S. or out of the Great Lakes Region. I’m excited to go to France because it seems like a fun place,? said Monette.
While in Europe, students will stay with a host family.
‘I’m nervous about staying with a host family because I want to make a good impression and I don’t know if I’ll like their food. I don’t want to offend anyone I’m living with or anyone to offend me,? said Monette.
Students will leave on the last day of school to go to Blue Lake for a week before they leave for Europe.
‘We have a few rehearsals at Blue Lake before we leave,? said Bukowsky. ‘We practice all of our music and make sure everyone knows their part.?
When they get back from Europe, each student group will be performing at William Stewart Memorial Music shell at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.
Monette, is in the Symphonic Band at the high school.
‘I love playing music. It’s my big passion and one of my favorite things. I have appreciated music more as I’ve got older,? said Monette.