MONROE - Sean Garde's musical talent will take him places.
In the next couple of weeks, the 2010 Monroe High School graduate will tour six countries in Europe as part of the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music program.
Garde, who plays saxophone, clarinet and piano, will be part of a group of 300 musicians and singers from Wisconsin high schools who will leave for Europe Sunday for a two-week tour. The students range in age from freshman to graduates, Garde said. They will visit England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and German to perform American music.
He's looking forward to his first trip to Europe and the chance to see the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Globe Theatre where William Shakespeare's plays were performed, and Buckingham Palace, said Garde, who is the son of Dr. Joseph Garde and Jean Garde.
The trip will also give Garde, and the other students in the group, a chance to perform in other countries.
"I'm exited about it," Garde said of the trip. "Being able to play music is a bonus."
Garde learned about the music program last year when he attended a band camp in Green Bay. Tom Schilt, retired Monroe High School band teacher, recommended him for the group. Garde sent an audition tape to the group in February, and he learned in March he was selected for the trip.
The musicians practiced together in April and will practice again before they leave for Europe.
In high school, Garde was part of the concert ensembles, jazz ensemble, the pit orchestra and the pep band. He plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for two years and then transfer to Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music. Garde will be seeking a double-major in performance and composition, he said.
The trip fits into Garde's plans for the future: He plans to involve performing music professionally, he said.
In the next couple of weeks, the 2010 Monroe High School graduate will tour six countries in Europe as part of the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music program.
Garde, who plays saxophone, clarinet and piano, will be part of a group of 300 musicians and singers from Wisconsin high schools who will leave for Europe Sunday for a two-week tour. The students range in age from freshman to graduates, Garde said. They will visit England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and German to perform American music.
He's looking forward to his first trip to Europe and the chance to see the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Globe Theatre where William Shakespeare's plays were performed, and Buckingham Palace, said Garde, who is the son of Dr. Joseph Garde and Jean Garde.
The trip will also give Garde, and the other students in the group, a chance to perform in other countries.
"I'm exited about it," Garde said of the trip. "Being able to play music is a bonus."
Garde learned about the music program last year when he attended a band camp in Green Bay. Tom Schilt, retired Monroe High School band teacher, recommended him for the group. Garde sent an audition tape to the group in February, and he learned in March he was selected for the trip.
The musicians practiced together in April and will practice again before they leave for Europe.
In high school, Garde was part of the concert ensembles, jazz ensemble, the pit orchestra and the pep band. He plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for two years and then transfer to Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music. Garde will be seeking a double-major in performance and composition, he said.
The trip fits into Garde's plans for the future: He plans to involve performing music professionally, he said.