Down East singers aim for homage in Europe Luxembourg concerts to honor WWII veterans

MACHIAS – Thirty-eight young singers from Washington County are trying to raise funds for the trip of a lifetime when they travel next month to Luxembourg for some commemorative veteran’s celebrations.

The singers, all members of the Washington County Children’s Chorus, have been invited to participate in Luxembourg’s celebration of the 60th anniversary of the liberation by American troops, will make an international impact through four concerts. The June 16-26 trip falls during American Luxembourg Friendship Week.

The chorus, a nonprofit organization supported by volunteers, draws school-age singers from several towns around Washington County. Admission to the choir, which now has a waiting list, is by audition only.

Christine Guy of Machias, who directed music education for years in the local public school system, founded the chorus in 1995 with just 12 young singers.

In 2000, choir members hit a high note when they traveled to Chicago to perform. Now, with many of the same singers four years older, it’s time to venture abroad.

During their Luxembourg tour, the children will have some time to sightsee in between the lengthy concerts. Their most memorable performance may come at the Hamm Luxembourg American Military Cemetery, where they will sing patriotic songs surrounded by the graves of 5,076 soldiers. They have perfected the U.S. national anthem and learned Luxembourg’s national anthem as well.

A few years ago, East Machias resident Ron Beckwith met a choir director from Luxembourg. Beckwith put forward the idea of taking the Washington County Children’s Chorus to the tiny European nation. Last summer, plans were solidified.

The cost of the entire entourage’s trip to Europe totals $50,000. About 20 chaperones will accompany the young singers, including parents for any child 12 or younger. All the chaperones and adults are paying their own way, but the expense per choir member must be raised.

The Washington County chorus is gaining on its overall goal, but still has a few more thousand dollars to go.

“The Maine Community Foundation has given us a grant for this trip,” Guy said earlier this week. “Area businesses have also donated, plus numerous private individuals as well. It all has been quite wonderful.”

To earn money toward the trip, the chorus will perform twice this month at venues beyond Washington County.

The first concert will be in Ellsworth on May 23 at the Ellsworth Congregational Church. The second performance will be in Bangor on May 31 at the Cole Land Transportation Museum.

To make a donation or learn more about the trip, call Christine Guy at 255-6040. The Washington County Children’s Chorus also has a Web site: www.washingtoncountychildrenschorus.org.