Becca's European Adventure
Donation protected
Hello All!
Over the last few weeks, I have been given this amazing opportunity . I have been asked to embark on a once in a lifetime musical journey to EUROPE! This tour is through a program called American Music Abroad (linked to AMA website), which brilliantly incorporates so many aspects of European life and culture into my potential trip. Let me explain further….
As most of you know, in one way or another music has been a HUGE part of my life since I was a baby. My father, a very talented, avid and…let’s just say “charismatic” karaoke singer along with my mother who has an equal passion for the art (she is more of a listener...thank God) have raised me with a love for music like no other. A time when I am not singing is rare to come by, if its dreadfully belting in the car or performing in the spot light. Now I have the chance to take my passion international and sing with some of my closest friends in 4 of the most breathtaking (so I’ve heard) countries in the entire world. A dream come true.
A few students from high schools throughout New England have been chosen to travel overseas for 3 weeks in the summer of 2015. I am one of them! We’ll be performing free community concerts every other night; in town squares, parks, theaters, concert halls and churches, while mixing in sightseeing, exploring and social activities. Now for the details….
First, we land in Zurich, Switzerland and immediately switch to a smaller plane destined for Berlin, where we will be visiting the Berlin Wall and performing an evening concert. Next we head to Zurich, home of musical genius J.S. Bach. Next we head on over to what's said to be THE most picturesque city in the world, Dresden, which was completely rebuilt after the fall of the Berlin wall. The city I am most excited for is “the city of a thousand Spires…”... Prague. On westward, we will land in Salzburg, city of The Sound Of Music (which some of you may know i performed in this past year) and Mozart's home town! Coolest of all, we perform on the actual steps that the Von Trapp children sang their beloved song “DO RE MI.”
But wait, theres more!!
Next we travel to Munich, Dinkelsbuhl, Westendorf and then to the Dachau concentration camp, where we spend days touring, including a sobering visit to the site of WWII concentration camp. This stop is especially emotional for me, and to be quote honest, I am nervous about it.
Next and final stop, its north to the alps, where we will ascend 4 cable cars to the top of a glacier, surrounded by gorgeous snow capped mountains.
As you can see, this opportunity is one that may never come up again in my life. I feel so lucky to have been chosen. In all of these countries (over all thats Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria) we will be performing a purposefully “American” selection of music- from classical to pop and jazz. Apparently Europeans really enjoy listening and watching American kids sing American music. I don’t know what that’s about. All I know is that I’ll be singing my little brains out.
I never imagined me, little Becca Grace of small town Brookfield Connecticut would ever have the chance to embark on such a life changing journey. And as if this experience could not get better, I would be traveling with the man who has further ignited my love of music; my choral director, drama teacher, show director, mentor and friend, John Lamendola.
“Sooooo…. what do you want, Becca?”
Here’s the kicker. With airfare, coach buses from city to city, hotel, foods, other accommodations as well as staff and 3 registered nurses, this 3 week trip adds up to a lofty $ 5,500+ . I KNOW RIGHT?! I have put a deposit on the tour, and now I need to earn, fundraise, save and beg for as least half of the cost. Just when I had begun to think that this price was not something I would be able to make happen this year (between junior year school work, clubs, activities, and work I was just too busy to devote all my time to this cause), my truly AMAZING mom vowed to try to make this happen for me, and promised that she will work day in and day out, extreme hours- to try to match whatever I can raise.
So here’s where we're asking for your help:
Instead of birthday, Chanukah, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, next year’s graduation gifts…. yada yada yada- I am asking you to make a donation into my “TRAMREISE” (German for ‘DREAM TRIP’) fund. Large or small- any, and I mean ANY little bit helps! In return, I will make a Facebook page for you to follow while I document my trip daily, through photos and videos of every little thing, including concerts (as long as i have cell service). My friend who went last year did this for me, and it was truly amazing watching as she documented her trip. It was like I was right there with her.
Alternately, my mom and I have started an eBay and Craigslist campaign with which we are selling everything that is not tied down to get me there, and to college. We would be happy to list your unwanted “stuff” that’s been hanging around, and in return keep 50% for the trip and give you back 50%.
Another way I could give back is if anybody has an event, a fundraiser, a benefit etc within the tri-state area that you could use an extra singer for, I would be happy to come and provide a little Beccertainment!
If you are inclined to support me, I am and forever will be eternally grateful. You will not simply be giving a kid money so she can go on a cool vacation, you would be making a passionate girl’s musical dream come true, changing a life. That is something to be proud of.
Attached is the link to my TRAMREISE Go Fund Me page
I thank you dearly for your time, and your consideration.
With Love,
Becca
P.S. I want you to know a couple things:
1. Along with this letter I am also devoting time fundraising and working my butt off to make this happen. I am not solely begging you for money
2. My mom did not write this. I did. Really. I swear. She just okayed it (not so happy with the part about her not being a great singer, but she went with it. Hey, honesty is the best policy)
Over the last few weeks, I have been given this amazing opportunity . I have been asked to embark on a once in a lifetime musical journey to EUROPE! This tour is through a program called American Music Abroad (linked to AMA website), which brilliantly incorporates so many aspects of European life and culture into my potential trip. Let me explain further….
As most of you know, in one way or another music has been a HUGE part of my life since I was a baby. My father, a very talented, avid and…let’s just say “charismatic” karaoke singer along with my mother who has an equal passion for the art (she is more of a listener...thank God) have raised me with a love for music like no other. A time when I am not singing is rare to come by, if its dreadfully belting in the car or performing in the spot light. Now I have the chance to take my passion international and sing with some of my closest friends in 4 of the most breathtaking (so I’ve heard) countries in the entire world. A dream come true.
A few students from high schools throughout New England have been chosen to travel overseas for 3 weeks in the summer of 2015. I am one of them! We’ll be performing free community concerts every other night; in town squares, parks, theaters, concert halls and churches, while mixing in sightseeing, exploring and social activities. Now for the details….
First, we land in Zurich, Switzerland and immediately switch to a smaller plane destined for Berlin, where we will be visiting the Berlin Wall and performing an evening concert. Next we head to Zurich, home of musical genius J.S. Bach. Next we head on over to what's said to be THE most picturesque city in the world, Dresden, which was completely rebuilt after the fall of the Berlin wall. The city I am most excited for is “the city of a thousand Spires…”... Prague. On westward, we will land in Salzburg, city of The Sound Of Music (which some of you may know i performed in this past year) and Mozart's home town! Coolest of all, we perform on the actual steps that the Von Trapp children sang their beloved song “DO RE MI.”
But wait, theres more!!
Next we travel to Munich, Dinkelsbuhl, Westendorf and then to the Dachau concentration camp, where we spend days touring, including a sobering visit to the site of WWII concentration camp. This stop is especially emotional for me, and to be quote honest, I am nervous about it.
Next and final stop, its north to the alps, where we will ascend 4 cable cars to the top of a glacier, surrounded by gorgeous snow capped mountains.
As you can see, this opportunity is one that may never come up again in my life. I feel so lucky to have been chosen. In all of these countries (over all thats Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria) we will be performing a purposefully “American” selection of music- from classical to pop and jazz. Apparently Europeans really enjoy listening and watching American kids sing American music. I don’t know what that’s about. All I know is that I’ll be singing my little brains out.
I never imagined me, little Becca Grace of small town Brookfield Connecticut would ever have the chance to embark on such a life changing journey. And as if this experience could not get better, I would be traveling with the man who has further ignited my love of music; my choral director, drama teacher, show director, mentor and friend, John Lamendola.
“Sooooo…. what do you want, Becca?”
Here’s the kicker. With airfare, coach buses from city to city, hotel, foods, other accommodations as well as staff and 3 registered nurses, this 3 week trip adds up to a lofty $ 5,500+ . I KNOW RIGHT?! I have put a deposit on the tour, and now I need to earn, fundraise, save and beg for as least half of the cost. Just when I had begun to think that this price was not something I would be able to make happen this year (between junior year school work, clubs, activities, and work I was just too busy to devote all my time to this cause), my truly AMAZING mom vowed to try to make this happen for me, and promised that she will work day in and day out, extreme hours- to try to match whatever I can raise.
So here’s where we're asking for your help:
Instead of birthday, Chanukah, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, next year’s graduation gifts…. yada yada yada- I am asking you to make a donation into my “TRAMREISE” (German for ‘DREAM TRIP’) fund. Large or small- any, and I mean ANY little bit helps! In return, I will make a Facebook page for you to follow while I document my trip daily, through photos and videos of every little thing, including concerts (as long as i have cell service). My friend who went last year did this for me, and it was truly amazing watching as she documented her trip. It was like I was right there with her.
Alternately, my mom and I have started an eBay and Craigslist campaign with which we are selling everything that is not tied down to get me there, and to college. We would be happy to list your unwanted “stuff” that’s been hanging around, and in return keep 50% for the trip and give you back 50%.
Another way I could give back is if anybody has an event, a fundraiser, a benefit etc within the tri-state area that you could use an extra singer for, I would be happy to come and provide a little Beccertainment!
If you are inclined to support me, I am and forever will be eternally grateful. You will not simply be giving a kid money so she can go on a cool vacation, you would be making a passionate girl’s musical dream come true, changing a life. That is something to be proud of.
Attached is the link to my TRAMREISE Go Fund Me page
I thank you dearly for your time, and your consideration.
With Love,
Becca
P.S. I want you to know a couple things:
1. Along with this letter I am also devoting time fundraising and working my butt off to make this happen. I am not solely begging you for money
2. My mom did not write this. I did. Really. I swear. She just okayed it (not so happy with the part about her not being a great singer, but she went with it. Hey, honesty is the best policy)
Organizer
Rebecca Grace D'Andrea
Organizer
Shelton, CT
