Liberty teen wins spot in band that will tour Europe

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The student musician will attend Westminster College in the fall.

LIBERTY — A local teen is drumming up support in hopes of displaying her musical talents to audiences around the world.

Sara Eliser, a 2008 graduate of Liberty High School, has been selected to perform with the renowned traveling and performing group, The Sound of America Honor Band and Chorus.

Celebrating its 32nd year, the group is a successful European concert tour program. It has received international acclaim for exemplary success in achieving outstanding cultural relationships with European countries.

Eliser said being selected to participate is a distinguished honor.

“I am really excited. This is really an honor,” she said. “I am just counting down the days.”

Eliser held the principal oboeist position in the Liberty High School Symphonic Band and in both the Stambaugh Youth Concert Band and the Ohio University Honors Band; participated for four years on the Liberty High School Flag Line; and has competed yearly in the Ohio Music Education Association’s Solo and Ensemble competition receiving Superior ratings on her oboe solos and an Excellent rating on the English horn.

Eliser is the only student from the immediate area to be selected to join the tour. She is one of only five students in the state selected to join the tour.

Eliser was selected for the tour after her name was submitted by a teacher at the high school. After the submission, she worked for two weeks to create the perfect audition tape.

“Recording the tape, then finding a recording that I really liked took some time. I took my time and made sure everything was flawless, so that took about two weeks,” she said.

Eliser will join other select, distinguished student musicians representing nearly every state on the SAHBC 2008 European concert tour this July.

Before that can occur, the students meet on the campus of Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pa., for four days of intensive rehearsal and orientation starting July 4.

After the orientation and rehearsals, the group will depart from New York for Frankfurt, Germany, and begin its schedule of 10 performances in some of Europe’s finest concert halls and major cathedrals during the 25-day concert tour. The students will experience the cultures of six countries.

According to Eliser, the entire trip will cost about $5,000 plus spending money. That is where she is hoping to find some community support. She said donations are welcomed from anyone looking to help.

The teen is working at a garden nursery in Vienna Township and has managed to save about $1,000 toward the trip.

She said any money spent on the trip will be well worth the cost.

“I want people to know that this is a positive way for the United States to create international bonds and to grow musically,” she said. “This is also a way for me to advance myself and prepare for life as a musician.”

Eliser will be attending Westminster College this fall where she has been accepted into the instrumental music program and will be majoring in both Music Education and Oboe Performance.

jgoodwin@vindy.com