Public Relations
NWACC Chamber Singers Reflect on 2008 Europe Tour
 Excerpts from written responses to their Europe 2008 tour
by selected members of the NWACC CHAMBER SINGERS.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
"This Europe trip has made the Chamber Singers be so close to each other like a family. It has brought us together so much. It’s awesome! It has taught me and showed me that I can always count on them. Even though we may have our bad times, I have come to learn that when we are all together singing all of that goes away and we just have fun singing.
" It’s so amazing how music can bring people that at one time didn’t even know each other so close together and become a family. That is why I love music, and no matter where I am, I will never stop singing".
- Cindy Castillo
"Out of my immediate family of five I am the first to travel outside the borders of the United States. The experience opened my eyes to a whole other world that I can never forget."
- Sara Edgerton
"I was able to sing in places that I thought I would never travel to. I was able to get closer to a group of friends that was already a family to me. I was able to see things that people travel the world over to see, and I was able to realize just how far an education can take you. When you see the world outside of Bentonville, Arkansas, you know that there is a world of possibilities."
- Karrie Dyke
" While in Europe, I feel like I have filtered out many of the negative feelings I had about my future. Coming here has made me realize that this world is filled with infinite possibility. This past week has been one of the most interesting and exciting times of my life. I feel the utmost honor for being I a group, no, family, such as the Chamber Singers."
- Andy Brannan
" World War II is something I love reading about, and I was so excited when Cooper told us we were going to the Anne Frank House. I’ve read her diary, and I’ve seen the movie. It just amazes me that they hid for so long.
"In Paris, I loved the Metro. At first I thought that I was always going to be confused and that I’d get left behind, but it was awesome. After this trip, I wish Northwest Arkansas had Metros. It would be so much easier and you would save a lot of money.
"I wish I could go up to every person who helped us by donating money and tell them how thankful I am. This trip was amazing. Thank you so much."
- Susan Elwood
"It is very refreshing to know and experience things beyond the U.S. Crossing language barriers with what little we know and experiencing different cultures and lifestyles was incredible.
"I want to go back already (just minus the 9-hour plane ride)."
- Marcus Phillips
" We went to the Louvre, the Van Gogh, and the Rijksmuseum. I got to see paintings of stuff I’ve only ever seen in textbooks. I will never forget any of the places we visited. Being there made me want to go and study over there! It was very inspiring."
- Shasta Blackford
"I have grown to know and love each and every person in this group. I am the type of person that puts up a lot of walls…but this trip has showed me so much about myself."
- Sam Ledbetter
Singing is something I love, and being able to represent our college overseas, through music, is one of the best experiences anyone could have.
- Robbie Lewis
"Being in the choir itself is an educational experience. Not only are we taught music, given the chance to perform for our community, and to expand our musical skills and knowledge, but we are taught to strive for professionalism and also how to work together as a team. Being of a team mentality is very important in this group. Without us working together, along with the support of our amazing sponsors, we would never be able to experience such wonderful things as traveling and singing overseas.
"There is so much to learn about the world and cultures around you, and the best way to learn is through experience. This year we were able to travel to three different countries and experience three different cultures. Each place we visited was different, unique, and special. We attempted ot learn the basics of their different languages. We participated in their way of life and tried to absorb as much of each culture as we could .
"I think it’s incredible that the school offers their students such a wonderful educational opportunity.
I’m walking away from this school year with new learning experiences, knowledge, training, friends, and a whole new family. I’m proud to have represented our school and community through singing overseas."
- Jessica Bashaw
" I thank God and all the people that helped us to make this trip come true. I have learned that with this group no matter where we go, we will always keep in touch, because everyone has a caring heart."
- Brenda Monchez
"When joining the NWACC Chamber Singers this year, I had no idea that I was going to be signing up for the trip of a lifetime! Europe was a far and distant dream for me, and the support from the college and the community made it a reality.
"The most moving part of the trip for me was visiting the Anne Frank House. Seeing exactly what it was like and how it was decorated, and then hearing real testimony from her best friend and father. It brought tears to my eyes. I’ve read the story so many times, but seeing it made it real.
"Barcelona was probably my favorite city we visited. The people were very friendly, and I got to see the ocean for the very first time. I just want to thank Cooper, Heinz, NWACC, and everyone else that helped make this trip possible.
"I was happy to be a part of a group where every person involved cares about music as much as I do. And, to take that kind of passion for something and to be able to share it with the word is an accomplishment in itself. I will be returning next year and only hope that I can help to make this possible for another individual to experience.
- Kristen Roughton
 "Before leaving on this trip, I had never been out of the country. I never knew how different another place could be."
- Josh Hartsock
"My name is Levi Russow. This factor doesn’t mean a whole lot to many people. But this year in the Chamber Singers, this chance, this opportunity given to me has given me more than I could have ever dreamed for myself.
"Europe is the one place I never thought I would ever see, one goal I never thought I could accomplish. But "I have just spent the greatest week of my life in the very place I had believed to be unattainable.
Amsterdam blew my mind, France mesmerized me, and Spain captivated me. All three unique, all three life-changing.
"So now I’m no longer Levi Russow, I’m Levi Russow, the European Traveler. But perhaps more importantly to me, I am Levi Russow…NWACC Chamber Singer."
- Levi Russow
For questions/comments on this content, please contact Dr. Steve Cooper.
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