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COMMENTS
FROM PAST TOUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE EXCELLED IN THE MUSIC FIELD |
DR. DAVID GARDNER, 1985
"All
these years later, I still look back on my tour with SOA in 1980
as one of the pivotal events in my life. That sounds like an exaggeration,
but it's not. The level of musicianship, the beauty of the music,
the quality of the tour, the camaraderie, the magnificence of
the performing venues and other sites all combined to confirm
my desire to spend a career in music. I can also vouch for SOA's
attention to the non-musical details - while running down a hill
in the Austrian Alps (not a smart thing to do, by the way) I fell
and badly tore the ligaments in my ankle. Fortunately, SOA had
a physician traveling with us. I was able to get immediate medical
attention, and continue the tour on crutches!"
David Gardner
Conductor and Assistant Professor, Southwestern College, Kansas
David Gardner is currently Assistant
Professor of Music, Director of Choirs, Voice, and Conducting
at Southwestern
College, Kansas.
David directs the A Cappella Choir and Southwestern College Singers,
and teaches Conducting, Vocal Diction, and Private Voice. MORE
INFO
BRIAN RALSTON, 1992, 1993: "Touring with the Sound of America was truly
one of the most memorable experiences of my young adult life!
From the grand European concert halls and historic cities
to performing wonderful music with Mr. Barr and such talented
musicians, I can honestly say that the Sound of America and the
musical experience it provided had a great influence on my decision
to follow my musical passion and make my career in music. I
highly recommend to any young musician who has the chance to tour
with the SOA to take that opportunity and grab it by the reigns
with both hands before it passes you by. You will be an
example to the world of some of the best the United States has
to offer. You will create music that fuels the soul, memories
that will last a lifetime and experiences that will enrich your
life forever."
Brian Ralston,
Motion Picture Musical Composer, Studio 76 Music, California
Brian has composed
film music for movies, "9/Tenths" "GRADUATION".
He is also an award winning producer, having produced the award
winning short film "The Rece!pt", for which he won an
Aurora Award for the musical score. MORE INFO
ENRIQUE "HANK"
FELDMAN, 1983, 1993: "At the
impressionable age of 17 I made my first trip with SOA to Europe.
Because of this experience, I grew in many obvious ways and in
many intangible ways. Of course, musically, I was challenged
at a collegiate level and I was surrounded by a very high level
of musicians and because of this I came back as a more mature
musician. I had never been on such an intense and focused
tour! I came back from the trip as a more mature individual,
having had to deal with being ready for concerts in all sorts
of situations and understanding that the "show goes on!"
However, for me the area of most growth was personally in the
area of social and emotional control and awareness. I saw
and experienced other cultures... their food, their songs and
their spirit for life... I saw the larger world and began
my own journey of seeing my place in it. For this and for
the many friendships I made, I am eternally grateful. SOA
was a part of childhood and a large part of who I am today."
"Discipline, responsibility, and learning how to prepare
for a professional music tour are just some of the basic things
I learned in a real-life context through my experience with SOA.
I use many of those lessons today as a Grammy Nominated Composer
and Director of the national non-profit arts education, the F.A.M.E.
Foundation."
"My experiences with SOA confirmed in me that music and education
were truly my areas of passion. I knew I wanted to make
an impact on people like Clyde Barr did every summer. An
incredible tour of fun, adventure mixed with a sense of responsibility
to myself, my fellow musicians, and knowing that at all times
I was representing my family and my country."
Enrique
"Hank" Feldman, President and Director of Arts Education,
F.A.M.E. Foundation , and Director of Evolved Learning Conferences,
Hank is President
of the F.A.M.E. Foundation (Fostering Arts-Mind Education Foundation)
and Director of Evolved Learning, Inc., Hank directs and performs
with a tuba and euphonium jazz ensemble, the "ITEC Jazz All-Stars,"
which performed at the '98 International Tuba-Euphonium Conference
in Minneapolis. He also is a 2-Time Grammy Nominated Composer
and Artist. Hank is also a film composer. His current movie score for Cruzando, is currently premiering in Arizona MORE
INFO
CARL HESS, 1998 "When asked, nearly
every professional musician can name an experience that had the
most profound impact on their professional and personal life.
For me, SOA was that experience. I have had many fantastic musical
experiences (and will hopefully have many more), but I must say
that SOA was one of the greatest experiences of my life. How many
students can say they toured six European countries, performed
with a world class ensemble in world class venues, and made friends
that will last a lifetime--all in one summer?"
Carl Hess,
Assistant Director and Professor at Duquesne University, Pennsylvania
Carl Hess has just been given a position on the music faculty
staff at Duquesne
University
in Pittsburgh, PA. He is serving as assistant director of the
Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Orchestra, and Contemporary Ensemble
and is also responsible for
teaching undergraduate
conducting. MORE
INFO
SCOTT STEEN, 1983: "SOA and it's organizers
have helped change my life for the better. When I was young, my
eyes were opened to a far away place that I now call home. My
eyes were opened to the excitement of being part of a touring
group of musicians. My eyes were filled with tears playing with
those musicians in places a young person could only dream of.
And 20 years later my eyes were filled with tears once again hearing
the sound of lilting young voices fill the Basilica of St. Mark.
I have been moved in youth and as an adult thanks to you, SOA."
Scott Steen,
Professional trumpeter and musical advocate, after living in Europe, he is currently preparing to perform with Cirque de Soleil's newest production, "Banana Shpeel"- coming soon to Chicago and New York City.
Scott was solo
trumpeter in Bette Midler's "Kiss My Brass" tour. He
has played in the Royal Crown Review Swing Ban, Los Angeles as
well as with Brian Setzer and Kiss. Scott's film and televison
credits include "The Mask", "Buffy the Vampire
Slayler", "The Today Show", "The Tonight Show
iwth Jay Leno", Ellen DeGeneres" and "Conan O'Brien",
and news shows on CNN, ABC World News Tonight and NPR's All Things
Considered (for which he recorded a version of its theme). MORE
INFO
TOBY SCOTT GUINN, 1996:
"Touring
with the SOA gave me valuable experience for my early musical
studies and cemented my desire to pursue music as a career.
When I reflect on the friendships made, the sights I saw and the
thrilling encounters with the enthusiastic European audiences,
I realize the tour was richly rewarding and influential.
I would encourage any future music student to accept an invitation
on this tour!"
Toby Scott
Guinn
Baritone, New York City Opera
2006 Opéra National de Paris finalist
2005 Metropolitan Opera National Semi-finalist
Toby is currently
performing with New York City Opera. He opened the '05-06 season
with his New York City Opera debut in the company's sold-out "Opera
For All" concert. He followed this with another important
debut, this time at Carnegie Hall, singing Mozart's Solemn Vespers. He has recently performed with Opera Memphis.
MORE
INFO
SEAN JONES,
1998, 2000:
"In life, there are a few experiences that change your life
forever. A few moments that take your breath away. The summers
of 1998 and 2000 will forever live in my heart as turning points.
Not only did I become the best musician that I could be, I became
the best man I could be. Thank you, Sound of America, for sharing
with me the complete artist experience. Love for art and love
for mankind!!!!"
Sean Jones,
Jazz trumpeter, and lead for Wynton Marsalis's Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
Sean Jones currently
performs as lead trumpet with Wynton Marsalis's Lincoln Center
Jazz Orchestra. Sean has released four solo CDs, and is currently
on faculty as a music professor at Duquesne University, PA. Sean is frequently performing with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and the Sean Jones Quintet. MORE
INFO
CAREN LEVINE, 1988: "I was offered the opportunity to
play principle flute in the SOA honor band in 1988. This
was my very first experience seeing Europe as well as performing
in some of the most exquisite concert halls.
SOA was such a positive, memorable, inspiring, and enriching experience.
I highly recommend SOA to students interested in entering into
a career in music. The SOA honor band is comprised of some
of the most talented and dedicated young musicians I have
ever heard. My brother, Richard Levine, played principle
clarinet in the SOA honor band in 1991."
Caren Levine,
Assistant Conductor / Pianist for the Metropolitan Opera of New York City
Caren Levine has
been Assistant Conductor / Principal Pianist at the Metropolitan
Opera House since 2002, and is a member of the faculty at
the Marlboro Music Festival. MORE INFO
DR STAN ROBERTS, 1980:
"Over
twenty-five years later and I still consider the 1980 Sound of
America tour as THE major experience in shaping both my musical
and cultural perspectives. As an unexpected surprise, the tour
provided clarity to my musical aspirations and gave early focus
to my professional career. Such musical and travel experiences
are pivotal for the shaping of young lives and I eagerly recommend
the work of the SOA professionals to your consideration! Since
1980 I have lead five concert tours with my university choirs
to Europe and without fail I mentally measure the success of each
to my 1980 SOA Tour."
Dr. Stanley
Roberts
Director of Choral Activities at Mercer University, Macon, Georgia
Stan is active
as a conductor, clinician and soloist in universities, colleges,
churches and schools and has been the Director of Choral Activities
and Coordinator of Sacred Music Studies at Mercer University for
over eight years. He directs several choirs, while teaching courses
in conducting and sacred music.
He has also
guest conducted at the GMEA All-State Choral event. MORE
INFO
JONATHAN BISESI, 1995 "SOA affords young adults the opportunity of
making music in some of the most memorable international venues
and destinations. Now being employed as a professional musician,
I am able to look back at these fond memories and realize that
SOA was a vital part of my early education."
Ssgt. Jonathan Bisesi,
US Marines, Percussionist, The Marine Band
Jon serves as
Staff Sergeant in "The President's Own" U.S. Marine
Band. MORE
INFO
DAVID ARRIVEE,
1986 "Reflecting on the
SOA trip, I would say there are few experiences in life that can
compete with travel to other countries. After my first taste of
travel with SOA, I made a point of living abroad (in Germany)
and of trying to experience other cultures first hand. Living
abroad makes you take a new look at everything you take for granted:
your idea of home, of landscape, of family, your sense of what
it means to belong to a place and serve your community. Living
in Europe also brings a far deeper and more visceral sense of
history than one finds in, say, California. Plus, it's an amazing
adventure to simply get by in land where nothing is familiar.
Thanks for
giving me my first taste of Europe! I might have been young, but
the curiosity the trip awoke still drives me, and I'm certainly
not done traveling yet!"
David Arrivee,
Conductor and professor at Cal-Poly State University, California
David is currently
Symphony Director and Assistant Professor at California Polytechnic
State University, San Luis Obispo. He has served as a conducting
fellow at Tanglewood. He often serves as a guest conductor
of orchestras, such as the California Central Coast Section
Honor Orchestra. MORE
INFO
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