By Whitney Barnes
Staff Writer
Marshall High School junior Khody Banty, a talented tuba player, is set to showcase his musical abilities on the international stage after being picked by Governor Parson to participate in the prestigious Ambassadors of Music program.
The Ambassadors of Music Program, as per the information on the Bob Rogers Travels website, is dedicated to honoring student performers nationwide. Each year, the state-wide nomination process encourages music educators to put forward the names of gifted musicians within their schools and districts. These selected students, along with their directors, will set off on a 15-day tour of Europe, during which they will show off their talents in different venues, immerse themselves in new cultures and explore historical sites.
Khody’s grandmother, Ena Banty, said the 16-year-old will get to visit five different countries during his trip, including France, England, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
Bob Rogers Travels explains the music students will perform in historic venues in every country, such as Paris’ L’Eglise de La Madeleine, the beautiful Marktplatz in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and London’s Victoria Embankment Gardens.
“Khody was one of the ones that was offered the chance to go,” Ena said. “There’s another kid in Marshall going, but he’s going with the choir. Khody is going with the band. I don’t know exactly how many students there are, but they’re from different cities around Missouri, and he was picked.”
Ena said that although the trip was earned, it was not without cost and that it took the support of the community to make it possible.
“He had to raise $12,000,” she said. “We had fundraisers, we had bake sales, we had auctions. He had a GoFundMe. He had money jars in most of the businesses. A whole bunch of the community just … pitched in.”
Khody is scheduled to depart for Europe on June 21.
“He just wanted to thank everybody for supporting him and donating to his cause and his fundraisers,” Ena said in closing.
According to their website, for over 50 years, the Ambassadors of Music program has celebrated talented student performers from across the nation, giving them the chance to both share their music abroad while experience destinations across Europe.
