Touring Euorpe with American Music Abroad!

Attilo Cushing Start Date: May 24, 2018 - End Date: Jul 9, 2018
  • Italy
  • Germany
  • Switzerland
  • Croatia
  • Austria

My Travel Story

by: Attilo Cushing Start Date: May 24, 2018 - End Date: Jul 9, 2018
Hi! My name is Attilo Cushing, and I am a senior at Alfred Almond Central School in Almond, New York. This summer I will be embarking on a trip to Europe called the Liberty Tour with the American Music Abroad program. As the name partially suggests, we will be touring the countries of Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, and Austria, performing music for all to hear at historical sites such as Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica, and St. Mark's Cathedral. At multiple cities throughout the tour, all members of the Choir, Orchestra, and Symphonic Band will be able to observe the different cultures of each country.

I am personally participating in this tour because I believe it will be a life changing experience. I greatly value the traditions, and the diverse cultures I will be able to witness while we are traveling. Furthermore, I know that I will learn many lessons that will be widely applicable for my future, such as how to break down barriers, how to appreciate the unfamiliar, and how to connect with people.  

Being able to establish a connection with people is critical, especially in situations such as this where I, someone you don’t know, am asking for donations. Therefore, here’s a little bit more about me.

I joined band when I was in fourth grade, and auditioned for all county in 5th grade. I received the position of principal trombone for the 6th grade Steuben County All County concert band. This started my career in music, and the hundreds of hours I would spend practicing and performing from then on. My current band director, Todd Bialecki, recruited me into Senior High Band as a seventh grader which propelled me to reach new levels of playing. Since 7th grade, I have auditioned six times All County Bands, six times for Area All state bands, and twice for the Conference All State band. I have received the position of principal trombone for nearly every audition, and was selected to go to Conference All State in Rochester New York as second trombone just this past December. I won the Hornell Area Wind Ensemble Young Artist Competition in eleventh grade, and placed second in 9th grade. Before I get too far with inflating my ego, every step of the way, I have had my loving parents, and incredible band director to set high standards of achievement for me. Mr. Steven Zielinski, a fabulous trombonist, and tutor that I had is by no means any exception. He taught me many lessons which progressed my development as a trombonist, and has always extremely supportive.

I will pursue a music minor at George Washington University, and will major in Mechanical Engineering. Moreover, I will continue performing and playing music with my trombone if I qualify with my audition for the Symphonic Band, as well as the Orchestra.

For every high school student, senior year is a busy, sentimental time, full of many emotions that are quickly met with their antitheses. On one day, you may feel excited to leave, and full of anticipation for the future, yet on another, you may start to dread what is to come after you leave the security of your home, and the funding of your parents. I hope that I can adequately relay just how appreciative I am for those of you who donate anything, whether its a penny, or a dollar. I am grateful even if you took the time out of your own busy lives to read what I have written. You are the kind of person that I, and many other kids strive to become so that we too will be able to assist the younger generation; our future.





  • Italy
  • Germany
  • Switzerland
  • Croatia
  • Austria

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