Help Take My Musical Talents Abroad!
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Justice, and first off, thank you for checking this page out! This means a lot to me and I would sincerely hope you take a moment to read everything I am sharing.
Last week I was informed of an incredible opportunity that was available to me, however, I quickly realized that the only way I would be able to make it a reality, would be to ask for some help.
In the next few paragraphs I will be sharing a bit about this great opportunity, who I am, my story, my future hopes and dreams, and why I need your help.
So without further adieu, let me tell you what I am raising money (in a nutshell):
I was exclusively invited by a select youth music program to travel across Europe and perform in various concerts over an 18 day period.
As you can imagine, the costs of traveling to and around Europe can be quite expensive, but as a musician, and someone who has worked extremely hard to get invited to do such a thing - this is an important opportunity for me.
I will explain more of the details in a moment, but first, let me introduce myself and tell you a bit more about who I am.
(An older picture of me behind my drum set)
So to start, I am a 17 year old musician and I play drum set, percussion, bass and a little piano. I also compose music as well. I started playing drum set when I was 13, and at first I was self taught before I joined percussion at our school in the 9th grade and started private lessons as well. Percussion and drum set is my main focus, with bass and piano just for fun. I have worked very diligently and my achievements so far include:
- Playing at state solo and ensemble festivals (most recently I played a marimba solo) and receiving great ratings
- Playing with a youth symphony here in the state of Utah and a youth percussion ensemble at the University of Utah
- Getting selected as a youth member to go play a side-by-side concert with the Utah Symphony.
(Picture of me on stage with the Utah Symphony during intermission at the side-by-side concert that I got to preform in)
All of this required much time and dedication spent practicing on my part, but keeping a balance in my life of school, work and practice has been a challenge.
Another big challenge I have had to face was the passing of my mother just this last year. At first it made trying to move on with my life very hard, but now I like to use it as motivation for me to strive to reach my goals and dreams, knowing that she would be supportive of everything I do in music.
I have music and my abilities to play as a musician to thank for overcoming these struggles in my life, as well as a positive attitude and constantly expressing gratitude for what it is that I have.
(A picture of me and my old band during one of our gigs, me in the back)
(And a view from behind the kit at one of the shows for my current band)
So now that you know about me, let me share a bit more about the opportunity I have been given!
I was invited to go to Europe with the "Utah Ambassadors of Music", which is a group in the state of Utah that invites select youth players to play together in a concert band/concert choir in a few different concerts in Europe. We would visit London, Paris, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, and play concerts across these different countries in different concert venues.
It would be such an amazing opportunity to get to play as a percussionist in a symphonic band through different countries in Europe. The experience would be something that is truly invaluable to me. I know I will grow so much as a musician by having this experience. Not to mention that something like this will look great on a resume! Its a learning experience that would stick with me through all of my future endeavors in music.
(A picture I took during one of our rehearsals with the utah symphony for the side by side concert, the view from on stage)
I think now would be a good time to tell you some of my dreams for the future. I just finished my junior year in high school, and after I graduate I plan on going to the University of Utah to attain my bachelors degree in music. After that, I don't know what I will do...but I will most likely go wherever my heart tells me to go.
I would like to play in a symphony and write music for movies and video games. I also have dreams of running my own percussion ensemble. Anything music related sounds appealing to me, as far as what exactly - I'm not completely sure - but whatever it is, a trip to Europe will surely help me to understand a bit more of who I am as a musician, and where I am going.
As you can imagine this trip will be VERY expensive. About 6 grand to be exact. I have the support of my dad, my grandma, and my dad's girlfriend, and then I have my own support from working at my own job too. My family isn't exactly in a situation that we are constantly struggling for money and starving ourselves for food (which I am very grateful for) however, we don't have a lot of extra money laying around either. We are going to try and scrape together whatever we can, but the extra support of anybody willing to help would be very much appreciated.
If you are in a position to help, I would greatly appreciate it. I don't usually ask for help, but this is one of those times where I just must put myself out there. I'm so grateful for all the support I have already and am truly appreciative of all of the generous souls who choose to support my future venture!
Also, for those who donate- I will send you one of my songs I have wrote using a program on my computer!
Thank you for reading my message!
All the best to you,
Justice
Last week I was informed of an incredible opportunity that was available to me, however, I quickly realized that the only way I would be able to make it a reality, would be to ask for some help.
In the next few paragraphs I will be sharing a bit about this great opportunity, who I am, my story, my future hopes and dreams, and why I need your help.
So without further adieu, let me tell you what I am raising money (in a nutshell):
I was exclusively invited by a select youth music program to travel across Europe and perform in various concerts over an 18 day period.
As you can imagine, the costs of traveling to and around Europe can be quite expensive, but as a musician, and someone who has worked extremely hard to get invited to do such a thing - this is an important opportunity for me.
I will explain more of the details in a moment, but first, let me introduce myself and tell you a bit more about who I am.
(An older picture of me behind my drum set)
So to start, I am a 17 year old musician and I play drum set, percussion, bass and a little piano. I also compose music as well. I started playing drum set when I was 13, and at first I was self taught before I joined percussion at our school in the 9th grade and started private lessons as well. Percussion and drum set is my main focus, with bass and piano just for fun. I have worked very diligently and my achievements so far include:
- Playing at state solo and ensemble festivals (most recently I played a marimba solo) and receiving great ratings
- Playing with a youth symphony here in the state of Utah and a youth percussion ensemble at the University of Utah
- Getting selected as a youth member to go play a side-by-side concert with the Utah Symphony.
(Picture of me on stage with the Utah Symphony during intermission at the side-by-side concert that I got to preform in)
All of this required much time and dedication spent practicing on my part, but keeping a balance in my life of school, work and practice has been a challenge.
Another big challenge I have had to face was the passing of my mother just this last year. At first it made trying to move on with my life very hard, but now I like to use it as motivation for me to strive to reach my goals and dreams, knowing that she would be supportive of everything I do in music.
I have music and my abilities to play as a musician to thank for overcoming these struggles in my life, as well as a positive attitude and constantly expressing gratitude for what it is that I have.
(A picture of me and my old band during one of our gigs, me in the back)
(And a view from behind the kit at one of the shows for my current band)
So now that you know about me, let me share a bit more about the opportunity I have been given!
I was invited to go to Europe with the "Utah Ambassadors of Music", which is a group in the state of Utah that invites select youth players to play together in a concert band/concert choir in a few different concerts in Europe. We would visit London, Paris, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, and play concerts across these different countries in different concert venues.
It would be such an amazing opportunity to get to play as a percussionist in a symphonic band through different countries in Europe. The experience would be something that is truly invaluable to me. I know I will grow so much as a musician by having this experience. Not to mention that something like this will look great on a resume! Its a learning experience that would stick with me through all of my future endeavors in music.
(A picture I took during one of our rehearsals with the utah symphony for the side by side concert, the view from on stage)
I think now would be a good time to tell you some of my dreams for the future. I just finished my junior year in high school, and after I graduate I plan on going to the University of Utah to attain my bachelors degree in music. After that, I don't know what I will do...but I will most likely go wherever my heart tells me to go.
I would like to play in a symphony and write music for movies and video games. I also have dreams of running my own percussion ensemble. Anything music related sounds appealing to me, as far as what exactly - I'm not completely sure - but whatever it is, a trip to Europe will surely help me to understand a bit more of who I am as a musician, and where I am going.
As you can imagine this trip will be VERY expensive. About 6 grand to be exact. I have the support of my dad, my grandma, and my dad's girlfriend, and then I have my own support from working at my own job too. My family isn't exactly in a situation that we are constantly struggling for money and starving ourselves for food (which I am very grateful for) however, we don't have a lot of extra money laying around either. We are going to try and scrape together whatever we can, but the extra support of anybody willing to help would be very much appreciated.
If you are in a position to help, I would greatly appreciate it. I don't usually ask for help, but this is one of those times where I just must put myself out there. I'm so grateful for all the support I have already and am truly appreciative of all of the generous souls who choose to support my future venture!
Also, for those who donate- I will send you one of my songs I have wrote using a program on my computer!
Thank you for reading my message!
All the best to you,
Justice
Organizer
Justice Ferguson
Organizer
Woods Cross, UT
