The language of music is international. Regardless of culture or native tongue, a song’s message has a way of being heard.
Suzanne Egan, 13, of Clarkston, knows that very well after spending four weeks in Europe performing and learning from an international audience.
Egan, who will be entering ninth grade at Clarkston Junior high School in the fall, participated in the International Exchange Program through Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, which offers a summer music program to students. Egan played clarinet in the Southern Winds Ensemble, one of several orchestra groups composed for the tour.
The trip was not Egan’s first time overseas, but was her first time doing so without her family.
‘When the plane was taking off from Chicago to Paris I was thinking ‘Oh my God, what am I doing?? But at that point I knew it was too late to go back.?
Even so, Egan said she wasn’t homesick but missed her family.
During the trip Egan visited France, Germany, Italy and Luxemburg.
‘It was really cool, it was educational,? Egan said. At each stop, the students stayed with host families and spent most days rehearsing for performances.
‘We went site-seeing as much as we could in every place. We had some free time but we had a lot of performances and rehearsals,? she said. ‘We weren’t allowed to go to any of the major cities because they wanted us to learn about the culture in those countries and we wouldn’t get much of an idea if we were in the tourist sites.?
Even so, the group drove through Paris along the way and Egan was able to snap some quick pictures of the Eiffel Tower from the bus window.
‘I’ll take what I can get,? she said.
The group performed at several venues, with a mix of American music and songs in honor of their host, including ‘La Marseilles,? Shenandoah? and selections from ‘Star Wars? and ‘The Wizard of Oz.? Egan said her group’s director, Brian Tychinski, chose those songs purposely to mix cultures in their performances.
Looking back, Egan said the trip has slightly changed her perspective on European lifestyles.
‘They were a lot kinder than I thought they’d be,? she said. ‘Not that I had the idea that they were snobs or anything, but they were a lot kinder than I thought they’d be. They were very hospitable.?
The program is offered annually to high school students, and Egan said she would like to participate again in the future.
For more information about the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp or the International Exchange Program, visit www.bluelake.org.