The Lee University Symphonic Band is pictured here in front of the Beethoven Memorial in Hungary
The Lee University Symphonic Band completed a tour of Eastern Europe, traveling throughout Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Serbia.
The ensemble was invited by Jonathan Augustine, regional superintendent for Central Europe for the Church of God World Missions, to perform in various venues, including flash mobs throughout Hungary. The band played at concerts and religious services and was exposed to different kinds of art, culture, and historical landmarks. Dan Smith, a Lee University alumnus and missionary to Hungary hosted the group while in Europe.
“I was very proud of the work of the students both from Hungary and the Lee University Symphonic Band,” said Dr. Mark Bailey, professor of music at Lee and Symphonic Band director.
In Budapest, the band performed at the Kroó György Music School, joined by the school’s youth symphony to play “America” from West Side Story. The two student groups performed the song twice as requested from the applause of the audience.
“It was overwhelming to play a concert in Budapest, Hungary, and to see how music truly is a universal language, how it brings joy and life to people’s hearts, no matter where they are or who they are,” said Lee band member Sophie Lockhart.
According to Dr. Bailey, the concert led to the formation of a relationship between Lee University and Crescendo, a Christian music organization in Budapest. It is now possible for Lee music professors and undergraduate and graduate music majors to take part in the Crescendo Summer Institute.
In Serbia, students performed at an outdoor concert sponsored by the Church of God. Lee’s Symphonic Band was the first band from America to visit the city. After the concert, band members and youth from the local church took turns singing “10,000 Reasons” in their respective languages.
During their time abroad, students took the opportunity to explore Budapest and Vienna. They experienced downtown city markets, St. Matthew’s Cathedral, Parliament, Tributes to Mozart, Beethoven, and Bartok and more.
The Symphonic Band has performed at leading church services across America and has been featured twice at the Christian Instrumentalists and Directors Association National conference and the Atlanta Instrumental Expo conference, the largest church instrumental music conference in America. In addition, they have had several appearances on television, radio, and concert tours in 12 other countries.
For more information about the Lee University Symphonic Band, contact Dr. Bailey at mbailey@leeuniversity.edu. For more information about Lee’s Global Perspectives program, visit http://leeuniversity.edu/global/.
For more information on the Crescendo Summer Music Institute, visit http://www.crescendohungary.org/en.
The Lee Symphonic Band with the Hungarian Youth Symphony during their tour to Europe