Vlog

Vlog #10 Application updates

 

Here Derek talks about recent developments in his doctoral and Fulbright applications.

Mar 07 2013
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Derek Jenkins

Derek M. Jenkins (b. 1986, Frankfurt am Main, Germany) is an American composer with a particular interest in music for wind ensemble and its various subsets. His music has been performed throughout the U.S., Europe and in Canada with select performances include those by the U.S. Army Materiel Command Band, the Florida State Wind Orchestra, the UMKC, Arizona State, Iowa State, and Bethel College Wind Ensembles, the Tri-State Wind Symphony, 5th House Ensemble, the Carinthia and Saxophilia Saxophone Quartets, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Beattie, and saxophonists Randall Hall, Gilbert Sabitzer, and Joseph Wytko. In 2012, Jenkins's wind ensemble piece “Eosphorus: The Morning Star” was selected as a winner of the National Band Association's Young Composer Mentor Project. Jenkins has received recognition from MACRO, ASCAP, the Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation, and at conferences and festivals across the U.S. and abroad. He has received commissions from the Bethel College Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir, the Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School Concert Band [Dubuque, IA], and various individuals throughout the country.

Jenkins is currently a student at Rice University (MM, expected 2012) and holds degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (BM, BM, 2010). Additionally, he has received further instruction at the Kärntner Landeskonservatorium and the Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt. His primary teachers have included Karim Al-Zand, Chen Yi, Pierre Jalbert, Richard Lavenda, James Mobberley, Paul Rudy, and Zhou Long. He has also studied with Kathryn Alexander, Mark Camphouse, Carter Pann, and David Rakowski. In his spare time, Jenkins is an amateur scuba diver and daydreams of becoming an astronaut.

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Vlog 10 – More Flexibilty

I have always thought of my career as fairly concise, with most of my activities funneled through my work with So Percussion.  But I am realizing more and more, that all careers in music these days require a flexibility to do many things well and piece together lots of interesting activities to make up the whole.

Mar 05 2013
Browse archives for March 05, 2013
Jason Treuting

Jason Treuting has performed and recorded in venues as diverse as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Walker Art Center, the Knitting Factory, the Andy Warhol Museum, Zankel Hall, Lincoln Center, DOM (Moscow) and Le National (Montreal). As a member of So Percussion, he has collaborated with artists and composers including Steve Reich, David Lang, John Zorn, Dan Trueman, tabla master Zakir Hussain, the electronic music duo Matmos and choreographer Eliot Feld. In addition to his work with So, Jason performs improvised music with Simpl, a group with laptop artist/composer Cenk Ergun; Alligator Eats Fish with guitarist Grey McMurray; Little Farm, with guitarist/composer Steve Mackey; QQQ (a quartet consisting of hardinger fiddle, viola, guitar and drums); and Big Farm (a foursome led by Rinde Eckert and Steve Mackey).
Jason also composes music. His many compositions for So Percussion include So's third album amid the noise, and contributions to Imaginary City, an evening length work that appeared on the Brooklyn Academy of Music's 2009 Next Wave Festival. Recent commissions for other ensembles have included Oblique Music for 4 plus (blank), a concerto for So Percussion and string orchestra for the League of Composers Orchestra; Circus of One, music for a video installation in collaboration with Alison Crocetta; and Diorama, an evening length collaboration with the French choreographers in Projet Situ.
Jason received his Bachelors in Music and the Performer's Certificate at the Eastman School of Music where he studied percussion with John Beck and drum set and improvisation with Steve Gadd, Ralph Alessi and Michael Cain. He received his Masters in Music along with an Artist Diploma from Yale University where he studied percussion with Robert Van Sice. Jason has also traveled to Japan to study marimba with Keiko Abe and to Bali to study gamelan with Pac I Nyoman Suadin.

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Jade’s Detroit whirlwind

Mar 04 2013
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Jade Simmons

Jade is committed to expanding the boundaries of Classical music and its presentation. From 2006-2010 she served as the inaugural New Music/New Places Fellow for the prestigious Concert Artist Guild organization. She offers a diverse mix of repertoire from the Classics to the cutting edge. Audiences have come to expect creative projects backed by riveting performances like her program Kandinsky and Scriabin: Hearing Color, Seeing Sound which focuses on links between visual art and music, as well as The Rhythm Project, an exploration of pieces that exploit the more percussive nature of the piano. Ms. Simmons, a Yamaha Artist, has toured the US extensively, highlighted by concerts on Ravinia’s Rising Stars series, the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, the University of Washington World Series in Seattle, Merkin Hall and the Detroit Institute of Arts. In 2012, she will return to Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall and will release Playing with Fire, an EP on her newly launched record label Superwoman Records.

Jade’s multiple talents make her a true Renaissance woman of the millennium taking her in the direction of arts presenter, writer, lecturer and creator of Emerge Already!, career-building platform for emerging artists including videos, blogs and books. Most recently, she has been invited to write for the Huffington Post’s Arts section and she has served as the webcast host for both the Van Cliburn and the Tchaikovsky International music competitions. An artist with a social conscience that moves her to action, Jade serves as an advocate for America’s youth, presenting arts outreach and addressing groups across the country on sensitive issues such as youth suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Jade has been recognized two years in a row by Symphony Magazine for her work on and away from the stage. In light of these achievements, she was listed as one of Ebony magazine’s Top 30 Leaders under 30 and was proclaimed Houston’s Best Arts Ambassador by the Houston Press.

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Conversations with Casals

Mar 03 2013
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Lauren Denney Wright

Dr. Lauren Denney Wright is the current Director of Wind Ensemble activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Berry College where she conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches clarinet. Prior to her arrival at Berry College, Dr. Denney Wright was the Director of Bands, clarinet instructor, and taught Instrumental Music Education courses at Oklahoma Baptist University.
A native of Marietta, Ga., Dr. Denney Wright earned her bachelor of music degree in clarinet performance from Vanderbilt University, the master of music degree in clarinet performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the bachelor of music degree in music education from Kennesaw State University. Dr. Denney Wright completed her doctoral studies in instrumental conducting at the University of Miami Frost School of Music under the mentorship of Gary Green, where she conducted the Frost Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Chamber Winds and Concert Band. In addition, she taught conducting courses, worked with the Band of the Hour marching band and ran the men and women’s basketball pep bands. Dr. Denney Wright has worked with such composers as John Corigliano, David Maslanka, Michael Daugherty, John Mackey and Steven Bryant. In addition, Dr. Denney Wright will be making her international debut conducting chamber music with members of the Berlin Philharmonic this summer in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Dr. Denney Wright holds professional memberships with College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society and Music Teachers National Association. In addition she is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Tau Beta Sigma, a founding member of Sigma Alpha Iota at Vanderbilt University, and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.
Educational Background:
B.M., Vanderbilt University
M.M., University of North Carolina at Greensboro
B.M., Kennesaw State University
D.M.A., University of Miami Frost School of Music

A native of Marietta, Georgia, Dr. Denney Wright earned her Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance from Vanderbilt University, the Master of Music degree in clarinet performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Kennesaw State University. Prior to her appointment at Oklahoma Baptist University, Dr. Denney Wright completed her doctoral studies in Instrumental Conducting at the University of Miami Frost School of Music under the mentorship of Gary Green, where she conducted the Frost Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Chamber Winds and Concert Band. In addition, she taught conducting courses, worked with the Band of the Hour marching band and ran the men and women's basketball pep bands. Dr. Denney Wright has worked with such composers as John Corigliano, David Maslanka, Michael Daugherty, John Mackey and Steven Bryant.

Dr. Denney Wright holds professional memberships with College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society and Music Teachers National Association. In addition she is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Tau Beta Sigma, a founding member of Sigma Alpha Iota at Vanderbilt University, and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.

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In this Vlog, I share inspirational words from the famous cellist and musician, Pablo Casals.

Arts for Social Change, Boston University Panel, vlog #11

Meghan talks about her experience and the questions that were asked at Boston University’s “Arts for Social Change” event. 47 Strings was one of the six organizations founded by former alumni that was discussed. The panel was open to current students in visual arts, theater, and music.

 

Feb 27 2013
Browse archives for February 27, 2013
Meghan Caulkett

Meghan Caulkett is a graduate student at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where she studies with Houston Symphony Principal, Paula Page. Meghan has performed as principal harpist with numerous orchestras, in solo recitals, chamber recitals, and for people such as legendary film composer John Williams, Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor James Levine, and His Royal Highness Prince Charles. She received her Bachelor of Music Degree Summa Cum Laude from Boston University while studying with the principal harpist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Ann Hobson Pilot.
Originally from Tahoe City, California, she now freelances all over the greater Houston area and southeastern United States, while maintaining an active teaching studio of harp and piano students. Since November 2011, she has been the acting principal harpist of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and has recently been accepted to the Houston Symphony Substitute Musician list. This is in addition to performances with the Shepherd School of Music Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and Symphony of Southeast Texas. Meghan was also a Da Camera of Houston Young Artist from 2011- 2012.
Recently, she founded “47 Strings”- an innovative and educational outreach program designed to bring harp recitals to 47 different charitable organizations and free community concerts within the next year. These performances include educational outreach programs for schools, hospitals, homes for the elderly, shelters for abused women and children, as well as community concerts open to the public.

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Dr. Michael Flynn – VLOG #12 – RECRUITING SEASON! (and PRACTICING)

Feb 21 2013
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Michael Flynn

Dr. Michael P. Flynn is the Director of Bands and Brass Instruction at Sheridan College in Sheridan, Wyoming. Teaching duties include conducting the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, teaching Music History and Music Appreciation, and performing as principal trumpet with the Sheridan College Brass Quintet. Dr. Flynn will also be active in the area performing with the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra (WY), and the Billings Symphony Orchestra (MT). This is a very exciting year for the Sheridan College Wind Ensemble as the group will be involved with the world premier of composer Steve Danyew's work for winds and film. The work will be performed as part of a consortium including the Eastman Wind Ensemble, The University of Miami Wind Ensemble, The Arkansas State Wind Ensemble, Keene State College Concert Band, and the Bethel College Wind Ensemble among others.

Current solo collaboration includes a recording project with 2011 International Acoustic Artist of the year, South African Roland Albertson. Communicating through digital media clips and videoconference, the two are planning the use of the trumpet in Albertson's newest demo CD and future recording projects.

Prior to joining the Sheridan College Faculty in 2012, Dr. Flynn was the Brass Teacher, Music Theory Instructor, Music History Instructor, Wind Ensemble Conductor, and a Performing Artist at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. During his time in the Middle East, Dr. Flynn held the position of Principal Trumpet in the Palestine National Symphony Orchestra and the Edward Said National Conservatory Orchestra. Performing responsibilities also included a tour of Germany with the Israel Brass Quintet, and performances with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and the Tel Aviv Opera.

Before joining the ESNCM faculty in 2010, Flynn was a Doctoral Teaching Assistant at the University of Miami (Florida, USA), where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Instrumental Performance and Conducting in 2010, and his Master of Music Degree in Instrumental Performance in 2007. Dr. Flynn also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Mansfield University (Pennsylvania, USA).

Throughout the five years spent as a graduate student at the University of Miami, Dr. Flynn had the opportunity to study with Craig Morris, Naxos recording artist and former principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony. In addition, Flynn’s teachers include Michael Sachs, principal trumpet with the Cleveland Orchestra, Allan Dean, former member of the New York Brass Quintet and professor at Yale University, Andrew McCandless, Principal Trumpet with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Michael Galloway, former United States Marine Band member, and professor at Mansfield University.

Orchestra and Wind Ensemble Performance experience in Miami includes five years as a substitute with the New World Symphony, under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, and positions with the Naples Philharmonic, Palm Beach Opera, Miami City Ballet, University of Miami Orchestra, and the University of Miami Wind Ensemble.

Significant premier performances include principal trumpet duties for John Corigliano’s Circus Maximus, Christopher Rouse’s Wolf Rounds, and Gary Green’s transcription for wind ensemble of Frank Ticheli’s Symphony No. 1.

Supplementing his classical study, Dr. Flynn performed and recorded with the University of Miami Studio Jazz Band, directed by Chuck Bergeron, former bass player for Buddy Rich, and studied privately with Alex Norris, now with the Village Vanguard Orchestra, and Greg Gisbert, member of the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra.

Dr. Flynn is a member of the International Trumpet Guild, and Pi Kappa Lambda.

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You’re More Qualified Than You Think!

Feb 18 2013
Browse archives for February 18, 2013
Jade Simmons

Jade is committed to expanding the boundaries of Classical music and its presentation. From 2006-2010 she served as the inaugural New Music/New Places Fellow for the prestigious Concert Artist Guild organization. She offers a diverse mix of repertoire from the Classics to the cutting edge. Audiences have come to expect creative projects backed by riveting performances like her program Kandinsky and Scriabin: Hearing Color, Seeing Sound which focuses on links between visual art and music, as well as The Rhythm Project, an exploration of pieces that exploit the more percussive nature of the piano. Ms. Simmons, a Yamaha Artist, has toured the US extensively, highlighted by concerts on Ravinia’s Rising Stars series, the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, the University of Washington World Series in Seattle, Merkin Hall and the Detroit Institute of Arts. In 2012, she will return to Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall and will release Playing with Fire, an EP on her newly launched record label Superwoman Records.

Jade’s multiple talents make her a true Renaissance woman of the millennium taking her in the direction of arts presenter, writer, lecturer and creator of Emerge Already!, career-building platform for emerging artists including videos, blogs and books. Most recently, she has been invited to write for the Huffington Post’s Arts section and she has served as the webcast host for both the Van Cliburn and the Tchaikovsky International music competitions. An artist with a social conscience that moves her to action, Jade serves as an advocate for America’s youth, presenting arts outreach and addressing groups across the country on sensitive issues such as youth suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Jade has been recognized two years in a row by Symphony Magazine for her work on and away from the stage. In light of these achievements, she was listed as one of Ebony magazine’s Top 30 Leaders under 30 and was proclaimed Houston’s Best Arts Ambassador by the Houston Press.

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Vlog 11 – “Compositional Processes”

Vlog 11 – “Compositional Processes” – ways composing finds its way into my everyday musical life, followed by my tune “Gaelic Blues”.

Feb 15 2013
Browse archives for February 15, 2013
Catie Hickey

ALP alum Catie Hickey graduated from Eastman in 2007 with degrees in Trombone Performance and Jazz Studies. Catie’s professional experiences thus far span across the globe and cover a variety of musical genres. After completing her degrees at Eastman, Catie’s travels and adventures have included earning a Master’s degree in performance from Rice University in Houston, traveling to Africa for chamber music outreach, performing with a Mexican Orchestra and Canadian brass quintet, and teaching at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. One of the main goals of ALP is to increase the marketability of Eastman students in the professional music world. Catie’s post-Eastman career path demonstrates her awareness of a broad scope of musical opportunities and her ability to market her diversified strengths.

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Dr. Michael Flynn – VLOG #11 – FIVE Minute High School Brass Warm-Up, performing with the Billings Symphony!

Click here to download the 5 minute brass warm-up: http://michaelflynntrumpet.weebly.com/uploads/5/2/1/2/5212687/the_high_school_guide_to_brass_warm_ups.pdf

Feb 13 2013
Browse archives for February 13, 2013
Michael Flynn

Dr. Michael P. Flynn is the Director of Bands and Brass Instruction at Sheridan College in Sheridan, Wyoming. Teaching duties include conducting the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, teaching Music History and Music Appreciation, and performing as principal trumpet with the Sheridan College Brass Quintet. Dr. Flynn will also be active in the area performing with the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra (WY), and the Billings Symphony Orchestra (MT). This is a very exciting year for the Sheridan College Wind Ensemble as the group will be involved with the world premier of composer Steve Danyew's work for winds and film. The work will be performed as part of a consortium including the Eastman Wind Ensemble, The University of Miami Wind Ensemble, The Arkansas State Wind Ensemble, Keene State College Concert Band, and the Bethel College Wind Ensemble among others.

Current solo collaboration includes a recording project with 2011 International Acoustic Artist of the year, South African Roland Albertson. Communicating through digital media clips and videoconference, the two are planning the use of the trumpet in Albertson's newest demo CD and future recording projects.

Prior to joining the Sheridan College Faculty in 2012, Dr. Flynn was the Brass Teacher, Music Theory Instructor, Music History Instructor, Wind Ensemble Conductor, and a Performing Artist at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. During his time in the Middle East, Dr. Flynn held the position of Principal Trumpet in the Palestine National Symphony Orchestra and the Edward Said National Conservatory Orchestra. Performing responsibilities also included a tour of Germany with the Israel Brass Quintet, and performances with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and the Tel Aviv Opera.

Before joining the ESNCM faculty in 2010, Flynn was a Doctoral Teaching Assistant at the University of Miami (Florida, USA), where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Instrumental Performance and Conducting in 2010, and his Master of Music Degree in Instrumental Performance in 2007. Dr. Flynn also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Mansfield University (Pennsylvania, USA).

Throughout the five years spent as a graduate student at the University of Miami, Dr. Flynn had the opportunity to study with Craig Morris, Naxos recording artist and former principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony. In addition, Flynn’s teachers include Michael Sachs, principal trumpet with the Cleveland Orchestra, Allan Dean, former member of the New York Brass Quintet and professor at Yale University, Andrew McCandless, Principal Trumpet with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Michael Galloway, former United States Marine Band member, and professor at Mansfield University.

Orchestra and Wind Ensemble Performance experience in Miami includes five years as a substitute with the New World Symphony, under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, and positions with the Naples Philharmonic, Palm Beach Opera, Miami City Ballet, University of Miami Orchestra, and the University of Miami Wind Ensemble.

Significant premier performances include principal trumpet duties for John Corigliano’s Circus Maximus, Christopher Rouse’s Wolf Rounds, and Gary Green’s transcription for wind ensemble of Frank Ticheli’s Symphony No. 1.

Supplementing his classical study, Dr. Flynn performed and recorded with the University of Miami Studio Jazz Band, directed by Chuck Bergeron, former bass player for Buddy Rich, and studied privately with Alex Norris, now with the Village Vanguard Orchestra, and Greg Gisbert, member of the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra.

Dr. Flynn is a member of the International Trumpet Guild, and Pi Kappa Lambda.

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Picking Ensemble Literature

Feb 12 2013
Browse archives for February 12, 2013
Lauren Denney Wright

Dr. Lauren Denney Wright is the current Director of Wind Ensemble activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Berry College where she conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches clarinet. Prior to her arrival at Berry College, Dr. Denney Wright was the Director of Bands, clarinet instructor, and taught Instrumental Music Education courses at Oklahoma Baptist University.
A native of Marietta, Ga., Dr. Denney Wright earned her bachelor of music degree in clarinet performance from Vanderbilt University, the master of music degree in clarinet performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the bachelor of music degree in music education from Kennesaw State University. Dr. Denney Wright completed her doctoral studies in instrumental conducting at the University of Miami Frost School of Music under the mentorship of Gary Green, where she conducted the Frost Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Chamber Winds and Concert Band. In addition, she taught conducting courses, worked with the Band of the Hour marching band and ran the men and women’s basketball pep bands. Dr. Denney Wright has worked with such composers as John Corigliano, David Maslanka, Michael Daugherty, John Mackey and Steven Bryant. In addition, Dr. Denney Wright will be making her international debut conducting chamber music with members of the Berlin Philharmonic this summer in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Dr. Denney Wright holds professional memberships with College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society and Music Teachers National Association. In addition she is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Tau Beta Sigma, a founding member of Sigma Alpha Iota at Vanderbilt University, and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.
Educational Background:
B.M., Vanderbilt University
M.M., University of North Carolina at Greensboro
B.M., Kennesaw State University
D.M.A., University of Miami Frost School of Music

A native of Marietta, Georgia, Dr. Denney Wright earned her Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance from Vanderbilt University, the Master of Music degree in clarinet performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Kennesaw State University. Prior to her appointment at Oklahoma Baptist University, Dr. Denney Wright completed her doctoral studies in Instrumental Conducting at the University of Miami Frost School of Music under the mentorship of Gary Green, where she conducted the Frost Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Chamber Winds and Concert Band. In addition, she taught conducting courses, worked with the Band of the Hour marching band and ran the men and women's basketball pep bands. Dr. Denney Wright has worked with such composers as John Corigliano, David Maslanka, Michael Daugherty, John Mackey and Steven Bryant.

Dr. Denney Wright holds professional memberships with College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society and Music Teachers National Association. In addition she is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Tau Beta Sigma, a founding member of Sigma Alpha Iota at Vanderbilt University, and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.

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In this week’s VLOG I discuss strategies for picking literature for your ensemble and planning for a concert.

1
Vlog #10 Application updates
2
Vlog 10 – More Flexibilty
3
Jade’s Detroit whirlwind
4
Conversations with Casals
5
Arts for Social Change, Boston University Panel, vlog #11
6
Dr. Michael Flynn – VLOG #12 – RECRUITING SEASON! (and PRACTICING)
7
You’re More Qualified Than You Think!
8
Vlog 11 – “Compositional Processes”
9
Dr. Michael Flynn – VLOG #11 – FIVE Minute High School Brass Warm-Up, performing with the Billings Symphony!
10
Picking Ensemble Literature