On Sunday, student and adult musicians and vocalists from the area are invited to attend an informational meeting about the 2016 Indiana Ambassadors European Tour. The meeting will be at 3 p.m. in the Lakeview Middle School choir room. Indiana’s Ambassadors of Music completed its 10th biennial tour of Europe this past summer, performing concerts in Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Germany. The IAM Symphonic Band and Concert Choir toured Europe in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014. The next tour will take place in summer 2016. The IAM staff members for the Warsaw area are Martin Becker, director of bands at Grace College, and Judy Becker, choral director at Lakeview Middle School. The Beckers have traveled with over 200 Warsaw area students and adults in the IAM tours since 1996. Dr. Joseph Scagnoli, associate director of the School of Music, emeritus, and director of bands, emeritus, at Ball State University is the founder and music director of Indiana’s Ambassadors of Music European Tour group, which numbered nearly 150 to 230 students and staff. Selection for membership in Indiana’s Ambassadors of Music European Tour is based on the students exhibiting superior musicianship, outstanding citizenship and exceptional leadership qualities, according to a press release provided by Martin Becker. Students were recommended by their respective high school band or choir director to an IAM area staff representative. Adults are also encourage to perform in the ensembles. Prior to their departure for Europe, the participants gathered on the campus of Ball State University for an intensive three-day schedule of rehearsals and orientation sessions. Indiana’s Ambassadors of Music shared its music with European audiences in six different countries and a variety of performance venues. They visited and performed in several large European cities such as London and Paris, as well as smaller venues in Crans Montana, Switzerland; Seefeld, Austria; Venice, Italy; and the medieval town of Rothenberg, Germany. Students were also exposed to the culture and life in these small Austrian, Swiss and Bavarian villages. Student instrumentalists and vocalists, along with their parents, should attend the informational meeting. Adult participants may or may not wish to participate in one of the performing ensemble. Any area adult that would be interested in the tour is also encouraged to attend the meeting.
