Press Releases |
THREE SCHOOL OF MUSIC STUDENTS SELECTED
FOR INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WIND ORCHESTRA  (left to right) Leigh Ann Singer, Kristi Michael and Julie Neal. Kristi Michael, clarinetist and graduate student from Nashville, Tenn.; Julie Neal, clarinetist and graduate student from Springfield, Mo.; and Leigh Ann Singer, flutist and graduate student from Ottawa, Ill., were all selected for the orchestra. Following a week of rehearsals with conductors Glenn Price and Gerhard Markson and soloist Evelyn Glennie, the International World Youth Orchestra will perform for the conference on Saturday, July 14. "I am actually quite excited and pleased to have been chosen for such an elite group of musicians," Singer said. "I am looking forward to heading to Europe (Ireland) for the first time and to share my experiences of music with the other members. I am also excited to see two of my other colleagues earning this same honor." The WASBE International Youth Wind Orchestra concert this year will include works by Joseph Schwantner and a world premiere commission by Ian Wilson sponsored by World Projects. Michael is currently pursuing a Master of Music in clarinet performance, where she studies with Associate Professor Diane Barger. She serves as co-principal in the Chamber Orchestra, participates in the University Symphony Orchestra, and plays E-flat clarinet in the Wind Ensemble. She holds B.M. and B.M.E. degrees from Florida State University. "I feel very honored to have been selected to be a part of this ensemble," Michael said. "I am especially excited to work with Evelyn Glennie, a widely known and respected percussionist. I imagine this trip will be one of the highlights of my early professional career." Neal is also pursuing her Master of Music in clarinet performance and studying with Barger. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors of Music in clarinet performance from Florida State University. She is principal of the UNL Symphony Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, the Opera Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra's inaugural season. Neal was also principal clarinet of the National Wind Ensemble in 2006, an honor by audition ensemble that performs at Carnegie hall each year. Singer is in her second year of her Master of Music in flute performance, where she studies with Larson Professor of Flute John Bailey. She received her B.M.E. summa cum laude from Illinois State University. She has earned principal flute in UNL's Symphony Orchestra (2005-2006), Wind Ensemble (2006-2007) and Chamber Orchestra (2006-2007). She has also participated in masterclasses with many renowned flutists, such as Jimmy Walker, Alexa Still, Thomas Robertello and Ian Clarke (Spring 2007). "This will be an exciting adventure for Leigh Ann," Bailey said. "She is a very fine player and an excellent student, and I know she will benefit from the experience of traveling and playing with a whole new group of fine musicians." |
