Thank you for visiting my GoFundMe page. My name is Noah Sidabutar.

A little bit about me: I started as a young musician when my parents introduced me to playing the djembe at my church at the age of 8. Since then, I have grown in my passion and skills as a musician. Currently, I am a junior at Horizon High School in Winter Garden, FL and I am a snare drummer proudly representing The Sound of Horizon Marching Band. Aside from school, I also play drum set at my church every Sunday, I am going to start my second season with the Encore Youth Jazz Band based in Orlando, FL, and I will be starting my 3rd season as a snare drummer with a competitive indoor percussion ensemble, who won the 2024 Scholastic A Division in the FFCC (Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit).

I've made highly competitive honor bands in my time as a musician, including Florida's All State Concert Band, and Orange County's All County Band (6x). I've been awarded multiple superior ratings at statewide music performance assessments. My goal is to have a career in the music performance and education field, and this opportunity is another stepping stone to get there.

Last year, I felt it was time to challenge myself by auditioning for Macy's Great American Marching Band, a highly competitive All-Star marching band which takes only the best high school musicians from each of the 50 states. Unfortunately, I lacked education and skill and did not get accepted. Since then, I have been practicing and improving, participating in multiple programs and taking lessons that have contributed to my musical growth across the past year.

This August, I auditioned again for and was accepted into the Macy's Great American Marching Band, and we will march in this year's 99th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I have the honor of performing on the drumline!

I am raising money to cover the costs and fees associated with performing in this ensemble. Any help would be greatly appreciated. As a high school student, I am committed to funding this trip independently to ensure that it does not place any financial burden on my family.

I am extremely excited for this opportunity. Your generosity will make it possible for me to pursue this extraordinary, once in a lifetime opportunity. I am humbly asking for your support - whether it is financial or by spreading the word. Thank you so much!