Former Oxford resident Sean Corbitt has the opportunity to showcase his trumpet-playing skills to vast audiences across Europe in July with The Sound of America (SOA) Honor Band and Chorus.
But he needs help getting there.
Corbitt, a senior at Lapeer East High School, is raising funds to go on the SOA’s 34th Annual European Concert Tour, which is going to cost him around $6,000.
So far, he has raised about $3,500 for the trip, but needs to raise the balance before departing July 1.
According to Corbitt, the initial cost of the trip was $5,200; however, the cost of the passport and other miscellaneous items raised the cost to $6,000.
His love for the trumpet began with a snap decision in sixth grade.
‘I was trying to decide between the trumpet and the percussion and there was a long line behind me and I was taking forever, so my teacher told me to hurry up and decide,? Corbitt said.
So he chose the trumpet, and as the old saying goes, the rest was history.
Since then, Corbitt, who now lives in Metamora, has played in the Lapeer East High School Symphony Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band and Concert band.
He has also been a member of the Flint Youth Symphony, the Lapeer Symphony Orchestra and the Orion Chamber Music Society.
In January, Corbitt auditioned and was selected to prerform as a member of Michigan’s All-State Honors Band in Grand Rapids.
‘Since I was accepted into the State All-Honors band, I qualified automatically musically for the Sound of America band for the tour,? he said. ‘But I still had to do character reference sheets and send them in. And so, out of that, I got chosen to go on the trip.
He will take part in a 23-day, six country tour that includes stops in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and Luxembourg. He will preform in the great music halls of Paris, Salzburg, Venice, Verona and Luxembourg.
‘When I started playing back at the age of 11, little did I know I would have such a love for music and the trumpet, and that it would lead to such an exciting opportunity. I would be so proud to represent my community, Michigan and the United States,? he said.
Applebee’s, located 1811 Demville Rd. in Lapeer will be hosting a Flapjack Fund-raiser breakfast on Sunday, May 23 from 8-10:30 a.m.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids.
Sound of America is a registered nonprofit organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible.
Donations can be made payable to Sound of America/Sean Corbitt, 4490 Brown Rd., Metamora, MI 48455.
Deadline for donations is June 6.