School band to travel to Europe

Dozens of students of Mexicali’s Junior High School 50 are ready to depart to Europe after officials and parents were able to raise enough funds for the trip.

Band members and their parents held sweepstakes, presentations and other events to reach the financial goal to send 74 school musicians for a performance at Piazza Buozzi in Giulianova, Italy.

The band was invited as the only Mexican representative to take part of the International School Band Contest.

The Mexicali band will compete against bands from England, Poland, Croatia, Costa Rica and other countries.

Band Director Gerson Ramírez told La Crónica newspaper the musicians will depart Saturday from Mexicali to Madrid and then to Rome and Giulianova.

The band plans to perform in four cities, with an additional performance pending.

Ramírez said the band includes a 30-minute long repertoire of several Mexican songs, as well as some rock and roll and Michael Jackson songs.

Businessmen and elected officials helped fund the trip as well, Ramírez said.