When it comes to musical accomplishments, Robert Kircher, 22, is not one to toot his own horn. Still, Mr. Kircher admits that his time performing in Italy as a member of the select international Point Chamber Orchestra made for some beautiful music, personally and professionally.

The 40-member orchestra was organized this summer by the Carnegie Mellon University's resident director Efrain Amaya. Mr. Kircher, a 2002 Brentwood High School grad, is a junior and trumpet performance major at the university.

"It was absolutely fantastic and the best opportunity I've had in my life," Mr. Kircher said. It was his first trip to Europe and he said it provided him with a wonderful musical and cultural experience that will benefit his career aspirations.

He has played trumpet since he was 8 years old. In his junior and senior years in high school, Mr. Kircher was ranked as the top trumpet player in the state by the Pennsylvania Music Education Association.

In his Brentwood high days, Mr. Kircher lettered in soccer and football and was quarterback with the Spartans' team. He wouldn't leave the football field at halftime, instead, he stayed and played trumpet with the band. In 2002, he was selected as a Post-Gazette all-Star Achiever and won a Gene Kelly judge's award for acting and music.

For last month's European tour, lodging and food were provided by the local towns and governing bodies, so the only expense to the young performers was their airfare, and most found donors or sponsors to help.

Mr. Kircher said the trip cost him $200.

The multinational orchestra, of which 20 musicians were from Carnegie Mellon, played seven concerts during the trip from July 12-26, which included sold-out performances at Venice's famous opera house, Teatro La Fenice, and at Rome's equally well-known Auditorium Parco della Musica.

The group performed modern classical pieces, many of which were written by Conductor Amaya, a noted composer who has been at Carnegie Mellon for 13 years. They also performed American classics, such as selections from "West Side Story."

Mr. Kircher was overwhelmed with the reception the group received.

"They treated us like celebrities," said the musician, who noted that a sing-along rendition of "O Sole Mio" left "not a dry eye in the house."

Although language differences provided some difficulties, a working command of Spanish, some local interpreters and the universal language of music eliminated most problems for Mr. Kircher.

When not on stage, several members, including Mr. Kircher, would play at cafes, often to the delight of patrons. During one such an impromptu performance, someone noted Mr. Kircher's Pittsburgh Steelers cap and commented, "You are champions of America, but we are champions of the world."

The patron referred to the fact that Italy had recently won the World Cup soccer championship.

Mr. Amaya, a native of Venezuela, said the trip was made possible by the efforts of a good friend, Barbara Mastella, an Italian journalist and patron of the arts.

"It was very rewarding trip for all of us and we hope to arrange another one next summer," Mr. Amaya said.

He called Mr. Kircher a "truly gifted performer."