Saturday, April 29, 2006
PETERSBURG -- Most people going to tour Europe have to buy their own ticket, but Sarah Ortz is using her French horn to pay her way.
Ortz, daughter of William and Connie Ortz of Petersburg, has been accepted as a member of the United States Youth Ensembles 2006 European Concert Tour.
The Springfield High School junior has performed with the Inter County League Honors Band for two years, and this year performed with the Ohio District V Honors Band, which served as her audition for the Youth Ensembles.
She is a member of the Petersburg Presbyterian Church, where she acts as youth delegate to Eastminster Presbytery.
The United States Youth Ensembles was established in 1989 to provide an opportunity to high school musicians to tour six countries of Western Europe. Music students from all 50 states are eligible for the tour, yet only a select few are chosen each year to represent the United States.
Ortz submitted a formal application and her past musical experience and involvement with her church made her a qualified candidate for the tour. Youth Ensembles works to accept students with unique personal stories and social backgrounds.
The chorale, string ensemble and wind ensemble will perform seven concerts as well as impromptu performances during the July 1-19 tour, which will visit Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and The Netherlands.