Nine members of the Eastern York High School band recently had an opportunity to expand their horizons, both musically and geographically. The group traveled to Europe as part of Youth Music Abroad, an honors band made up of students from throughout York County.

The band members traveled for about two weeks in late June and early July. "We started in London, then we crossed the English Channel and visited Brussels in Belgium," said Keith Gromis, high school band director and trip chaperone. "Then we traveled to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. After that we traveled to the Black Forest region of Germany and stayed in the countryside near Freiburg. After Freiburg, we ended our trip in Paris."

Gromis said this is the first time in many decades - and perhaps ever - that Eastern York students have participated in the program. Joining Gromis on the trip were students Braden Bolton, Eryn Boyer, Michael Feliciano-Vidot, James Hammel, Abram Hoover, Ryan Knuth, Cassidy Laius, Matt Thomas and Nathan Strausbaugh. In total, 93 students from York schools participated in the trip.

Gromis explained that being chosen for Youth Music Abroad is an honor. "Students are first recommended by their band director (based) on their character and performance ability in their home school," he stated. "Once in the group, students have to complete an audition for part assignment in the group."

The trip featured opportunities for the students to perform in unique spaces, Gromis said. "We played concerts in London, in a park outside the king's palace in Brussels, in a picturesque German village and in the Luxembourg Gardens in the center of Paris," he remarked. "I personally enjoyed talking with folks that would come up during the concert to ask where we were from and offer compliments about how great the group sounded and how appreciative they were that we were there to make music."

Gromis noted that participating in Youth Music Abroad is just one opportunity the members of the band have had recently. "In the past couple of years, the band students have been doing some really great things, working hard to build up the program, participating in PMEA festivals and honors bands, etc.," he said. "Their efforts are noticed by others."