Thirty-eight Ephrata High School students and sixteen chaperones are anxiously counting down the days until March 1. That is the day when they will depart for a week-long trip to London.

During their trip, the Ephrata High School String Orchestra will perform at a high school in London, participate in a Masterclass at the Royal College of Music, and attend a professional orchestra performance and a show in the West End theatre district, which is similar to Broadway in New York City. The group will also have a chance to sightsee at the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, and London Eye, the world’s tallest observation wheel.

The students have been rehearsing for several months and have been working on an individualized curricular project they will complete during their visit to London. The project will help enhance their understanding of British life and culture and expand their travel experience and the unique learning opportunity offered by international travel.

An anonymous donation of $25,000 helped make the trip more affordable for the students who will be attending. Students also did many fundraisers. This is the second time the orchestra received a $25,000 anonymous donation to help fund a performance tour. A previous donation helped fund a trip to London in 2007 for 50 students.

“I feel so fortunate and honored for the Ephrata High School Orchestra to be going on this trip, and to be at the receiving end of such generosity. It is wonderful to see community support for our students,” said Richard Ney, orchestra director.

The Ephrata Area School District has been named several times to the list of “Best Communities for Music Education.” Public support of the District music program is a deciding factor in being named to the list.