OPOLE News

From April 2011 Newsletter:

“RSO Youth Musicians to Visit Opole”
Dr. Kris Slowikowski

Excitement is building: 5 young musicians, members of the RSO Youth Symphony, are planning to travel August, 2011 to Opole. Barring complications, 2-3 violinists, 1 trombonist, 1 flutist and 1 trumpet player, plus several chaperones, plan to be Roanoke's first official delegation to Opole since the 1990's.

We will be housed/fed in local family homes during the first week of stay. It includes visits to the Opole environs, the World Heritage City of Krakow, Wieliczka (Salt Mine), Czestochowa monastery to the Shrine of the Black Madonna. There will be an official visit at Opole Government Offices with the President of the City - the Honorable Ryszard Zembaczynski and, of course, at the Frederik Chopin School of Music.

The second week will be very exciting. Our group will participate with Polish music students, as well as 50 students from Potsdam, Germany, at an annual music camp held in Glucholazy, Poland. This project is funded by a grant from the European Union. Our students will have intense individual and group instruction during the week, culminating in a grand finale public concert helded in the Opole Symphony Hall on August 13th. All will be recorded and made available for viewing on return home.

Our young Roanoke musicians will participate in this phenomenal international musical experience which they will remember for the rest of their lives. We are looking forward to renewing special friendships that were forged at the Frederick Chopin School of Music, while making new friends and enjoying special experiences in a unique musical odyssey. Stay tuned!!