SAVE THE DATE

2016 TrusTEE Golf Open

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Tee Off for VanderCook

All proceeds from the TrusTEE Golf Open benefit the Great Teachers Scholarship Fund, helping students of all financial backgrounds realize their dreams of becoming great music teachers in the VanderCook tradition.

CALLING ALL ALUMS 

We would love to have you join us.  If you are not a golfer, please pass this along to someone who may be interested in attending...

For More information contact Jeff Sadowski at [email protected] or visit www.trusteegolf.eventbrite.com

THANK YOU!

ALUMNI NEWS

Leo Park (M'07) was honored as a 2016 recipient of  a Golden Apple Award!  Leo is the director of Beginning & Intermediate, Concert & Chamber Strings at Northside College Preparatory High School in Chicago. Leo received his Master's from VanderCook in 2007 and has served on the summer faculty at VanderCook

 

The Ithaca College School of Music announced the appointment of 

Christopher Hughes (M'97) as associate professor and director of bands, effective for the fall of 2016. Hughes is currently the director of instrumental studies and associate professor of music at New Mexico State University. He received his Master's in Music Education from VanderCook in 1997.

VanderCook Alumnus Gary W. Moore's (B'76) new book, The Final Service, has just been released! 

Author: Gary W. Moore

Title: The Final Service

Synopsis: Inspired by real events, The Final Service offers a riveting story about human nature and how unfulfilled dreams left a middle-aged woman on the brink of destruction until one event forever altered the core of her belief system and her life. The Final Service is a story of understanding, forgiveness, family, and faith. It's a reminder that the troubles we encounter have a purpose, and forces more powerful than our own are at work in our lives in ways we are unable to fully comprehend.

You can read more about the book and the author by visiting our website: http://tinyurl.com/zshso5t. The book is being launched at BookExpo America in Chicago May 11-13, and is also being made into a movie that is scheduled to go into production later this year. The movie is being produced by Positivity Pictures LLC and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Kieth W. Merrill, screenplay also by Kieth W. Merrill. Learn more at http://positivitypictures.com/news/.

 Exclusive excerpt for Gary Moore's The Final Service 

DROP US A LINE

From Camille Smith (B'75, M'87)

Married Everett Smith (B'62, M'71) and raised four children. Both had successful teaching and performance careers in Michigan and Indiana.

Most recently Camille and Everett direct and play in the Elkhart "New Horizons Band".  The New Horizons Band is in high demand and performs around the community. The average age of New Horizons participants is 74. When invited to perform in a labor day parade they did so on a flatbed trailer with the sign, "TOO OLD TO MARCH" proudly displayed on the back. The crowd loved it. Camille and Everett are honored to work with such amazingly talented and dedicated musicians.

These Vandergrads credit VanderCook as being an influential part of their careers.  They continue ties with VanderCook through the Alumni Association and have introduced their group to Tony Kidonakis.

"I am confident that our education at VanderCook made all the difference in our lives and in our teaching. Viva VanderCook."

IN MEMORIAM

Willie A. Naylor (B'67) 1942 - 2016

Dr. Naylor had a successful teaching career in the Louisiana and Chicago Public Schools.  He had the privilege of teaching many famous musical icons such as Michael and Marlon Jackson of the Jackson 5 and Maurice White of Earth, Wind, and Fire. He was a member of the Alumni Association and strong supporter of the college.

       

                                    Carl Becker(B'55, M'69) - far left - 1934-2016

Carl honorably served in the United States Army and taught music in Northern Indiana, Mater Dei High School, Stell Jr. High School and Pace High School in Brownsville Texas. He organized and played in many bands and musical groups in Texas and Indiana, including, The Bend of the River Brass Band, Old Dam Band, Christian Fellowship Orchestra, Temple Aires, Martin King Orchestra, Zenergy Jazz Band, Brownsville High School Stage Band, and Brownsville Directors Dance Band.