Hickory – On August 6th from 6-8 pm, come support four teenage musicians as they prepare for the trip of a lifetime. Held at the Keiser Community Room at the SALT Block, the Western Piedmont Youth Quartet Fundraiser Dinner will benefit these young students as they prepare to travel to Germany.

In August, four student musicians will be traveling to Germany to perform at the Altenburg Music Festival. Grant Develle, Rachel Palmer, Maggie Auton, and Lillia Chapman are four high school students in the Western Piedmont Youth Symphony. They have auditioned for the chance to take this once in a lifetime trip: traveling to Germany to perform at a prestigious festival with other ensembles from all over the world. They will represent Hickory and the Western Piedmont region as cultural ambassadors, connecting with other students and musicians in Hickory’s sister city, Altenburg. Traveling with the students are Emma Sellers, Director of Multicultural Affairs at Lenoir-Rhyne University, and Thomas Michaels, Hickory native and the student’s piano accompanist. This trip is made possible by the combined efforts of the Western Piedmont Symphony and the Western Piedmont Sister Cities Association.

You can help support these students by attending the upcoming fundraiser dinner. Food will be provided by Olive Garden. Dine in at 6pm and listen to the students perform or drive by from 5-8 pm for a plate to go. Tickets: $20/adult, $10/student (12 & under).

Tickets can be purchased online at wpsymphony.org, over the phone at (828)324-8603, or at the door.

Photo: Grant Develle (Flute), Maggie Auton (Violin), Rachel Palmer (Violin) and Lillia Chapman (Cello).