The Jackson Hole Community Band (JHCB) has recently been selected to participate in the Youth Music of the World's "Easter in Maastricht 1999." This musical event is held annually in Maastricht, the southernmost city in the Netherlands. "It is really a thrill to have been invited," says Don Cushman, JHCB director. Ensembles from all over the United States, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands share in this three-day affair held over Easter Break. Two performances and a rehearsal exchange with a local band round out the musical portion of the festival.

To help finance this endeavor, a fundraising committee has been formed specifically for the trip. "Band members have accepted financial responsibility for the project, but we would like to support that effort with some backing from the community," states Mary Morgan, Trip Coordinator. With the holidays just around the corner, Christmas carols are in order for the first fundraising efforts. For a donation, Band members will come to your organization and play holiday music. "We're opening this up to everyone: businesses, individuals, community organizations, school organizations, and anyone else who is interested," states Morgan. "Not only will this help us raise some money, but we'll also get to spread a little holiday cheer."

This year the JHCB is celebrating its tenth year as a non-profit organization. It is comprised of members from all over the valley, as well as Victor, Driggs, and Tetonia, Idaho, and the Alpine and Star Valley areas. "Our goal with this trip is to make our band stronger. We are still accepting new members and past members who would like to rejoin," states Craig Carpenter, Band Treasurer.

What began as a short discussion at a Jackson Hole Community Band (JHCB) rehearsal last October, is culminating this week with the JHCB leaving for the "Easter in Maastricht" Music Festival in the Netherlands. "We are all extremely excited," states Mary Morgan, Trip Coordinator. "It has taken a lot of hard work and planning, but the return will be well worth the efforts."

22 members of the Band will be travelling to Holland, along with eight other JHCB "supporters." Although the group will have several outings to sightsee, music will be the main focus of the trip." This is a unique opportunity," says Don Cushman, the JHCB Band Director. "We are going to have the chance to experience, firsthand, that music is the universal language." The Band will have two performances: the first in a concert hall, and the next in a parade through the streets of Maastricht. Along with those performances, one evening will be spent playing and practicing music with a local Dutch Community Band.

Since mid-November, Band members have been working to raise money to defray some of the expenses of the trip. The main fundraising event was a raffle, which raised $7,500. Many Band members donated prizes to the raffle and all Band members were responsible for selling raffle tickets. Individual donations from around the community totaled $10,500, making a grand total of approximately $18,000 raised. "It is always amazing to see the backing this community gives the Band as well as the other music and art organizations," says Craig Carpenter, Band Treasurer. "From one person buying a raffle ticket, to the large donations from some community members, we really appreciate the support. We are especially grateful for a very generous donation of $5,000 through the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole from the Wiancko Family Donor Advised Fund."