PLEASE DONATE to SOA: This is not only a time many people and companies are making donations before the year's end, but it is a time when SOA needs financial help more than any other. Please consider SOA when you choose to donate to a non-profit organization. Donations are accepted in form of checks, credit cards and through Just Give. Please also check with your employer to see if they will match your donation and make your donation even more powerful.

Christmas Markets can now be seen in Europe - see our funsites page!

Souvenirs for sale

Individual alumni news by SOA year

Submit your information

Make a tax-deductible DONATION ~It's easy to give!~

Recent SOA News - this is old, but you can refer to the different "highlights" of each year

Special SOA Patriotic CD for sale - reduced price!

Special alumni

Trumpet players - Taps

Learn German in Rothenburg

Souvenirs

34 Years of SOA

Can you recommend someone? Could you sponsor someone? 

What are you doing? We love to hear from alumni. Please e-mail us if you would like us to include news about you on our web pages. We plan on updating them just a few times a year. You may click on the e-mail button below or go to the SOA Alumnus Form On-line. If information posted is incorrect, please let us know so we may correct it. Thanks!

A few CDs from 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are available at a discounted rate. e-mail Terri for more info. In most cases, there are 3-8 CDs left of each of these years. We do not plan to order more, so if you want a set, order before we're out!

SOA Fannypacks are available for $5, including postage!

A handful of SOA Tour t-shirts remain from certain years: '99 - M, L, XL; '01 - L, XL; '02 - S, M; '03 - S, M, XXL; '04 - XL; '05 - L, XL; '06 - S, XL; '07 - S). Ask Terri if your year's T-shirt is available in your size.

Would you be interested in purchasing your year's recordings on CDs, which were previously only available on tape or album? Give us your input. We are considering these options, but we need more interest to make it feasible.

NEWS!

Looks like we have some catching up to do in this spot - we'll try to get an update up here soon.

Some words on the 2006 SOA tour!

It was hot! Aside from that, it was great! You can view the main highlights on the 2006 Highlights page. Our long-time friends/bus drivers returned - Jean, Josy, Amorim, and Norbert, joined new driver, Joel. We found a great little village outside of Salzburg, Abtenau, which greeted us so warmly, and brought their local musical ensembles to present music to us as well - but the concert was abbreviated due to rain! The students did get to visit Salzburg during Mozart's 200th anniversary year and we were able to watch the World Cup soccer event in Austria - with Italy winning. We just missed a bit of mountain crumbling in Grindelwald area. The receding glaciers have allowed parts of the mountains to crumble - but it was a side of a mountain facing away from the view from town. As always, singing in Notre Dame is very special - but this year, the entire group performed in the church of St. Sulpice - practically the same size as Notre Dame, with amazing reverb! This is church is a point of interest these days to readers of "The DaVinci Code", but it was also a special experience to perform in such an amazing environment. Although the American Cemetery was partially being re-seeded, it was still an emotional moment for the group. As always, the concert performances were always exciting (aside from the rain in Rothenburg and Abtenau) - we had great soloists and the group worked hard to perfect each of the musical pieces. The audiences were enthusiastic, regardless of the heat. We were graced with the presence of having the American Consular General attending our final concert, as well as many faithful audience members.

The 2007 group consisted of 229 members from 43 states. There were 11 student and 2 chaperone alumni that returned as well! Thanks to all the tour members and chaperones for your dedication and efforts! The repertoire is listed on the Past Repertoire pages - the selections at the top of the list in each category.

2005 Tour News ! It was a good one!!!

Please see the 2005 Highlights for the overall news. This was the first year in many that the group performed in Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. We missed the indoor location (St-Roch), but the crowd at Luxembourg Gardens was wonderful. For the concerts in Elizabethtown and Luxembourg, the band performed an arrangement of "Amazing Grace" in honor of the memory of Bill "Gramps" Brandt, who toured as staff/chaperone many years, as well as for Serafine Clément, Luxembourgish SOA supporter, and mother of Jean Clément, SOA bus driver - both passed away this past year. As usual, the audiences were great, particularly in Stresa, La Chaux, Luxembourg, Paris and Rosheim. We had a number of student musicians from a music camp attended our concert in Grindelwald.

Although we did not raise new flags in the American Cemetery in Luxembourg, we did a fine dedication to the soldiers in song, taps and the presentation of flowers by current Marine, Lacey Sullivan, and some students who had relatives in the Battle of the Bulge. Students still remark how impressive of an experience the cemetery is.

It seemed to rain every place we went - but luckily - not a lot and not at important times! We were fortunate to have a real nice group of students on tour this year, and a good number of chaperones who were very helpful. The students were among some of the best talent ever. Our stay at Elizabethtown went surprisingly well, and we hope to be back, although 2006 is looking less likely. It's likely we'll be at Gettysburg College this year. As you can guess, there is a lot to see and do in this area, but if you plan to attend the concerts in 2006, book hotels early, as a Civil War Re-enactment will be occurring at the same time as our stay.

to the top of the page

THE 2004 YEAR IN REVIEW:

The 2004 Tour included 220 participants and toured Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and Luxembourg. Highlights can be found on the 2004 Highlights page. We saw more snow in the Alps (it was snowing as we were going over the Grossglockner Pass!), than ever. We got to watch members slide down snowy hills on their jackets. A number of kids got to meet Arnold Schwarzenegger in Salzburg. The worst injury on the Alpline Slide was to our sound engineer, whose wounds mysteriously reopened during the mass in St. Marks!

The audiences were great - especially in France and Luxembourg! (The 2nd half of the Rothenburg concert was rained out!) We were invited to a new town near Strasbourg, France, called Molsheim. There we had a packet-to-the gills audience, where some people had to stand outside to listen. We had many returning bus drivers (Josy Theisen (blue), Jean Clement (white), Amorim Mendes (green), Norbert Meyer (gold) and new driver Uve, who drove with Swedish guide, Par, and Aaron Patterson (former SOA soloist).

Europe is getting rather expensive now that the dollar has lost more than a quarter of its value. But the Italian gelato, the French crepes, the boatrides, cable cars, gondola rides, visits to museums and palaces, etc. are all still worth every penny! The group didn't receive any negativity while in Europe, and we were glad to help create positive relations. The Europeans were very friendly to us.

On a sadder note, we have lost some important SOA family members. The mother of Jean Clement (wife of Josy Clement), recently passed at an early age. She was one of our biggest supporters, always helping and being there for SOA through the decades. (Her family operates our charter bus company.) Serafine Clement did not speak English, but she always welcomed SOA with open arms each year.

Gramps, (Lyn Barr's father, Bill Brandt), toured with his wife, Mabel, on about 20 of the SOA tours. Gramps recently passed at the age of 96 this January 2005. (Mable, AKA, Mrs. Gramps, passed July '03). He took pride in his responsibility of overseeing the loading/unloading of the instrument truck, watching over the crates during performances, and checking the passports on the white (or green bus). He loved SOA, and loved hearing the group perform "The Battle Hymn". Gramps also worked in the SOA office throughout the 80's and 90's and even more recently. He and "Mrs. Gramps" helped tremendously with the mailings, proof-reading, labeling, and much more. We'll miss them both!

Lastly, we have lost a friend, John Morris, whose name really is not known to SOA members, but whose work produced the hundreds of individual domestic flights throughout the late '80's and 90's.

On a happier note, we have recently learned of yet another SOA marriage. Paula Bodine-Highes and Charles "Eric" Hughes from the '84 tour were wed a few years ago, after over a decade apart. They now live in Paradise, PA. How appropriate!

In other news:

Marguerite Tussey, SOA chaperone 1982 has been awarded the Medal of Honor by the French Government, on June 6th, 2004, during the D-Day Rememberance Ceremonies. She is one of only 100 former American WWII soldiers receiving this honor. We are proud she was an SOA member and thank her for her work in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Also, if you caught Bette Midler's "Kiss my Brass" tour this year, you heard Scott Steen, SOA '83 trumpeter. He toured as the solo trumpeter.

SOA's own Jon Bisesi has been accepted as one of "The President's Own, Marine Band" percussionists. Congratuations!

Sean Jones has a new CD selling in stores. He's also still playing with Wynton Marsalis's Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Look for his CDs at CD Universe or Amazon.com. Sean also made a special visit to SOA while on campus at Elizabethtown two years ago. Sean spoke with students, told them about why SOA was important to him, and explained life as a professional musician, and also played a little for the new students.

About a year ago, Jan Ile, SOA veteran, has accepted the position left open by J.F. Miller when he changed jobs as Personnel Manager. Thanks, Jan!

SOA alumni affected by Hurricane Katrina:

These alumni were affected by the hurricane. Most were just evacuated, but some either lost homes or their family lost their home. Some were students, some were working in hospitals, etc. You can read their stories below.

Wes Carbo ('05); Rachel Schuler ('05); Debrah Clemens & Leo DeJesus ('01); Derrick Mittelstaedt ('91); Jerome Thompson ('88, '90), Ben Vigerie ('91), Megan Thren & Audrey Thren ('04), Nick Dawson ('04) and Brian Muller ('02), Shane Bowers ('98), Jerome Theriot ('83), Gary Dupre ('83). Stories from SOA members during Katrina

to the top of the page

A Patriotic Tribute Compact Disc

To honor the heroes and victims of Sept. 11

This CD features patriotic selections from recordings of SOA concerts taken over the past 16 years.

In remembrance and to honor those who gave their lives and those who were directly affected. All proceeds of these CDs will go to New York Engine 6 Fire Department of New York City and the families of its lost firefighters.

The CD's are $10, including shipping & handling. These CD's are now available. To order your copy, please send a check or money order to our office.

SOA - Patriotic CD
PO Box 603
Carlisle, PA 17013

The summer of 2008 marked the 32nd consecutive year we've been touring and performing in Europe! We are grateful that our tours have been so successful, well-received by audiences and well remembered by you, our alumni.

We thank directors Mr. Barr (1977-2008), Mr. Shaw (choir 1977-94, 2001), Dr. Ausmann (choir 1995-2000, 2003, 2005), and Mr. Yoder (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008) for their inspiration, support, and hard work throughout the years. Their guidance and musical expertise have enriched over 5000 individuals and have helped talented youth become even better people and musicians. We hope you, our alumni, still keep fond memories of your trip, the concerts, friendships and experiences in Europe. We hope there are plenty of good years to come for SOA!

Do you know some students who could benefit from joining Sound of America? You know the quality individual and talented musician we are looking for - if you would like to recommend someone, please e-mail us the person's name and address. Please be sure to identify yourself and year when you e-mail us.

We also always need chaperones - perhaps YOU! Think about it and request a brochure, if you'd like.

Make a Tax-deductible Donation to SOA by check or on-line*!

Help the Sound of America! The SOA Organization depends on donations to keep the program running and to help cover the many costs. As pricing for travel and performances increases, and the US dollar value diminishes, the tour becomes less attainable for students in financial need.

Tax-deductible donations are gratefully welcomed from individuals, organizations, businesses and foundations. The benefits to each of the tour participants are numerous and cover multiple aspects. We know that the goodwill it brings from America to the Europeans is also very important.

If you think our musical enrichment program is worthwhile and you would like to help financially, please make your check out to The Sound of America and mail it to: Sound of America, 50 Brookwood Ave, Carlisle, PA 17015 OR you can log onto www.justgive.org* and donate with a credit card. Donations by VISA or MASTERCARD may be faxed or called to our office.

Each donation is very much appreciated, whether it's $5, $50, $500, $5000 or more. You may choose to sponsor a student; just make a donation for a particular item or need; or just give to help the operational costs and overall tour costs. (Do not e-mail credit card information.)

Would you like to sponsor a student?

Individuals, organizations and businesses have occasionally sponsored a student and paid for a portion of or the entire tour cost. This type of gift, which can be offered to the student anonymously, is a gift that is not only priceless to the individual, but it's personal rewards will last a lifetime for that student.

Please contact us if you or your organization or company would like to sponsor a student.

home