He also played in the orchestra for Muse Machine productions. He remembers being inspired by conductor Neal Gittleman, by Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie and Japanese violinist, Midori, and by the DPO/DPYO side-by-side concerts. “The concerts were at Memorial Hall and were some of the most memorable experiences of my life,” he recalls. While a member of the DPO Youth Orchestra in high school, George won a concerto competition which earned him a season ticket to the Philharmonic. The performing arts school was similar to a pre-conservatory program: It allowed him to play in an orchestra three times a week, play chamber music in small ensembles and take weekly private lessons with DPO piccolo player Virginia Miller. “Stivers had such a great reputation for academics and arts and I had family that had gone there in the 70′s and 80′s and had great memories of it,” he recalls. By fifth grade, he was accepted.Īt age 11, George had an important decision to make: whether to attend a junior high geared to science and math or opt for the arts. Although he couldn’t make a sound on the flute at the time, he practiced on his way to the try-out. In fourth grade, George tried out for the band.
“She was a flutist and would play in the hallway,” he recalls. “We would watch ‘Live From Lincoln Center’ and that was my introduction to classical music,” he says.Īnother important influence was the band teacher at his Residence Park elementary school. He spent weekends with his grandmother who loved PBS. George, who grew up in Residence Park on Dayton’s west side, says although no one in his family was musical, there was always music playing in the house.
0 kommentar(er)
