Tusky Valley sophomore raising funds for European music tour

Tusky Valley sophomore and trumpet player Lucy Angelo was nominated by her former band director, Merri Gensley, to join other Ohio student musicians for a two-week, five-country European performance tour next year. 

Students who are selected must pay their own way, so a fundraiser has been established to help Angelo get there.

The biannual music tour, offered by Ohio Musicians Abroad, includes two weeks of performances and sightseeing in five European countries. 

It starts June 5, 2026 when Angelo joins other Ohio students for a three-day practice camp in Cleveland. After that, they’re off to London where they will perform and visit sites like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and the Borough Market. 

Two days later the group travels to Paris. In addition to visiting the Eiffel Tower, Versailles Palace and the Hall of Mirrors, Angelo will again participate in a concert band performance. 

Additional stops and performances will take place in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. It’s a jam-packed tour and it costs a pretty penny.

Time for a fundraiser

Angelo and her family have explored a number of ways to raise the money needed for her trip. From candy bars to a lemonade stand that brought in $243, every penny counts. 

The main fundraiser, though, is a raffle with first place prize being a one-week stay in Atlantic City. The winner will stay in a two-bedroom suite with a kitchenette and balcony that’s close to the beach and boardwalk. 

“We’ve already booked the hotel and paid for it,” said Angelo’s mother Tabitha Alleshouse. “It’s kind of scary, but it’s such an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity for her that, as parents, we had to make it happen. It’s a big leap of faith that everything’s going to work out.”

Second prize in the raffle is a $50 gas card, and third place is a $25 grocery card. Tickets are $25 each or three for $50.

The drawing is Dec. 31, and only 500 tickets will be sold. Alleshouse hopes to accompany her daughter on the trip but will pay her own way. All proceeds from the raffle will go toward Angelo’s travel expenses.

A flyer on Alleshouse’s Facebook timeline gives full rules and regulations for entering the raffle. Tickets can be purchased by calling Alleshouse at 330-432-4282. 

Excitement on a major scale

Angelo said she was surprised to hear she was nominated and that she is thrilled about her upcoming experience.

“I’m excited about going to different places and seeing their buildings and other historical things,” said Angelo. “In Ohio, everything looks the same, so this will be something entirely new. And I’ll be looking at historical things there in person instead of just reading about it in class.”

Alleshouse and her husband Frank are understandably proud of Angelo. 

“She’s an honor student, she takes multiple honors classes, and she worked her first summer job this year at the Commons Pool,” said Frank Alleshouse. “Last year was her first year raising ducks for 4-H and she got Grand Champion and a Best of Show in her 4-H competitions.”

Angelo will put those ducks on the market during the Tuscarawas County Fair, with all earnings going toward the trip.

“I’m proud of going to the state fair with my 4-H project called ‘All Systems Go,’” said Angelo. The project focused on veterinary science, specifically studying the proper storage of various animal foods.

Directing and conducting the band will be Dr. Bruce Moss, recently retired director of bands at Bowling Green State University. 

“We believe that the power of music transcends borders," Moss said. "Hundreds of participants attest that this travel has been life-changing and a truly significant part of their youth, musical training and understanding of world cultures.”