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St. Olaf student, alumnus, selected for prestigious mentoring project for musicians

By David Gonnerman '90
April 30, 2004

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Schroeder
St. Olaf student Carl Schroeder '05 (Minneapolis, Minn.) and alumnus Travis Cross '99 were recently chosen to participate in the Fourth National Band Association Young Composer/Conductor Mentor Project to be hosted by the Bands of America Symposium this June at Illinois State University. The project, three days of intensive mentoring, selects only six participants annually.

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Timothy Mahr '78, conductor of the St. Olaf Band, says that music "just pours out of" these two young men. "Both of them have produced very creative work. I'm excited for this kind of artistic experience they'll receive at such an early point in their careers," said Mahr, who adds that their well-rounded St. Olaf education played an important role in developing their abilities.

Already an accomplished composer, Schroeder was selected for his work "Agora," which was commissioned by the Minnesota Symphonic Winds, a Twin Cities concert band, to celebrate its 25th anniversary last year. Schroeder is also president of Muziko Nova, a group of St. Olaf music students that helps showcase their talents.

Schroeder will work with conductor Andre Feagin, an undergraduate student at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Principal conducting mentor for Feagin will be Thomas Fraschillo, director of bands at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Cross, Associate Director of Bands at Edina High School in Edina, Minn., and a former St. Olaf Regent, was selected as one of the three conductors. Cross returned to St. Olaf as guest conductor of the band during Homecoming last October.

Cross will work with Daniel Boothe, an undergraduate student at Radford University who has written a piece called "Trinitas." Cross' mentor will be Frank Wickes, director of bands at Louisiana State University.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-646-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.