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1« • The Red and Black / Finals • Monday, June 11, 1990
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Kurin's Fashions
115 E. Clayton St. Across from C&S Bank
U6A trumpeter blows horn
for international ensemble
By MAURA CORRIGAN
Entertainment Writer
It’s not often that a person gets
to travel free of charge to other
countries. This summer, junior
trumpet major James Monroe is
going to do just that, although
there will be some work involved.
Last February, Monroe and sev
eral other music majors at the Uni
versity auditioned for a spot in the
American Waterways Wind Or
chestra. Approximately two weeks
later, he was notified that he had
earned a seat in the ensemble’s
trumpet section.
The ensemble is conducted by
Robert Boudreau, who auditions
players all over the country for the
group. A different selection of
players is chosen every summer.
This year they left on June 4 and
will return August 27.
The itinerary includes stops in
both Europe and the Soviet Union.
The group will meet for the first
time at John F. Kennedy Airport in
New York, and from there will
travel to Moss, Norway, where
they will rehearse for about five
days.
Their first big concert is in Oslo,
Norway. From there the group will
proceed to cities in East and West
Germany, Sweden, Finland,
Russia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia,
Poland, the Netherlands and Bel
gium.
Monroe isn’t sure what music
and for whom the group will be
playing.
*Tm sure there'll be people there
of great importance. Last year the
group did something with the
Lenin Symphony,” Monroe said.
“Boudreau, the conductor, has
commissioned a lot of works from
quite a few major composers. A
composer living in Estonia is doing
a piece that we’re going to pre
miere," he said.
During the three years he has
been at the University, Monroe has
been principal trumpet in the wind
ensemble, the orchestra, the sym
phonic band, as well as section
leader in the Redcoat Marching
Band.
He has also played with the Jazz
I ensemble. He was a feature so
loist for the symphonic band this
year, and has been a member of the
Georgia All-College Band for the
past two years.
Monroe has been playing the
trumpet since he was eight years
old, but said, "I didn’t get really se
rious about it until I got here. The
trumpet teacher I had in high
school was a big help. He helped
me decide where to go and who to
study with."
Both of Monroe’s parents have
experience in music, although they
are no longer involved with it. His
father played percussion and his
mother played in an Army Salva
tion band. Monroe decided to be a
trumpet major in the 10th grade.
"It** just what I love to do. I
couldn’t think of anything that I’d
rather do with my life," he said.
Listening to other people and
other groups, as well as the in
struction given to him by his music
teachers, has had a great impact
on Monroe. Dr. Edward P. Sandor,
an associate professor of music and
Monroe’s trumpet instructor, has
been a strong influence on Monroe.
“1 know I wouldn’t have gotten
anywhere near where I am now
‘Boudreau, the conductor, has commissioned a
lot of works from quite a few major composers
— James Monroe
had I studied with anyone else in
the Southeast. I can T t give him
enough credit," said Monroe.
Monroe also gives credit to Dr.
Albert Ligotti, an associate pro
fessor of music and trumpet in
structor. “He has been a great help,
even though I don’t study with him
formally,” said Monroe.
Sandor said, "Dr. Ligotti and I
agree that he’s the most highly mo
tivated player that we’ve had since
1978. When he came to the Univer
sity he had very little formal in
struction in the trumpet He wasn’t
even among the top recruits in his
class. He’s the one who decided he
would work hard and strive for ex
cellence.”
According to Sandor, Boudreau
spends half the year going to m^jor
conservatories in New York, Cin
cinnati and Chicago to audition
musicians.
"1 would think he would have
auditioned 200-300 people during
that time,” Sandor said.
When asked whether he ex
pected to earn a position in the Wa-
terways ensemble, Monroe
responded, "Honestly, no. Last
year I auditioned and I didn’t make
it*
When he received his acceptance
package in the mail, however, “I
about punched a hole in the roof of
the Fine Arts Building. It was
really fun," he said.
Monroe has one more year at the
University when he returns from
the tour. After graduation, he said,
“I plan to get another degree up
north. I have no definite planB yet.”
Sandor hopes Monroe’s success
will attract young musicians with
potential to the University. "Na
tionally, it reflects well on our pro
gram. As we recruit new students
hopefully we can secure excellent
students beyond our state bounda
ries," he said.
Monroe said the experience will
definitely add to his possible op
tions in the future.
"It’s going to be a very big plus
on any resume that I have for grad
uate school and a plus for minor or
chestras. It’s a good plus for
anyone my age,” he said.
While the rest of the Univer
sity’s students are wrapped up in
finals, Monroe will be galavanting
around Europe. He concluded his
work at the University early so he
could leave for the tour. Although
the tour is by no means all play,
Monroe said, “I can’t put in words
how glad I am that I get to go. It’s a
big opportunity — a once in a life
time chance. I guess I*m pretty
lucky."
Peter Frey/The Red and Back