Kienzle performs on European tour

Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, April 8, 2003

JOHN DAY – Grant Union High School senior Mary Kienzle comes from a musical family and as she graduates there is no question in her mind that she will pursue a career in music, probably performance. She’s been accepted at two colleges.

Kienzle, who plays the oboe, was the lone representative from GUHS to compete in District Solo Ensemble Competition at Hermiston on March 1. She took first.

She’s been playing the oboe for four years and participates in Grant Union High School choir and band. She also performs in Juniper Singers with her parents, Jamie and Louise, and the family is active in the church choir. Her mother also is the music teacher at Humbolt School.

Mary enjoys singing blues, jazz and gospel. With her oboe, she enjoys playing a variety of styles.

This summer, Kienzle will participate in the 2003 Voyageurs Ambassadors of Music tour, a 16-day European experience with performances scheduled in London, Paris, Venice, Lake Geneva, Frankfurt and more. Top high school musicians from around the nation make up the Voyageurs Ambassadors of Music. Most will participate in either band or choir, but as a dedicated and serious musician, Kienzle will perform with both groups, which will require that she learn approximately 30 songs and give up some of her free time during the tour.

She is required to pay a portion of the $3,550 expenses for the trip. For anyone who would like to help, contributions can be sent to Mary Kienzle, P.O. Box 464, John Day, OR 97845. After she returns, she has agreed to share her experience.