The desire arose in my heart so gradually that I can't say when it became a conscious thought. I only knew that I wanted to open my students' eyes to a larger world of flute activities than simply taking lessons, practicing at home, and playing in band class. I'd had many rich musical and flutistic experiences in London during my visits there, and thought it might be exciting to organize a trip for my young students. I knew of no other place with as many flute opportunities in one concentrated area. "You're nuts, Helen," I told myself. But the desire kept pushing at me, stubbornly blossoming in my mind the way a flower seeks light through the crack in a concrete sidewalk.

I told my husband about my idea. "You could do it, Helen," he encouraged. I called a friend in London, flute maker Robert Bigio, who responded, "That's a terrific idea." I sent a letter proposing the idea to my middle school and high school students. Four sets of parents agreed to send their daughters to Europe with me. And, over the next seven months, the flower came into full bloom.

Of the four students who signed up for the trip, Rachel Kiel, 14, is an advanced player. Alison Ryan, 12, Virginia Bates, 14, and Heather Whaley, 13, are at the early intermediate level. Barb Phillipson, a flutist and private teacher from Colorado, who's been a friend for years, also agreed to take the six-day trip.

Within minutes of our landing at Gatwick airport, the girls were affecting British accents and singing selections from The Phantom of the Opera at the top of their lungs, not caring who heard them. The first day when we bought breakfast items the girls discovered that in a foreign country, even a trip to the supermarket is an adventure. After breakfast, we rehearsed our music and visited Westminster Abbey. The girls popped in and out of the nooks and crannies, peered at long-deceased kings and queens, and admired the glorious architecture. We saw where Handel, Purcell, Elgar, and Stamford are buried.