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Music Director and
Conductor George C. Adams |
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George C. Adams made his debut as Music Director
and Conductor of the Idaho Falls Symphony Orchestra with the 1999-2000
season. He very much enjoys living in Idaho Falls and is quite
enthusiastic about the orchestra and its future.
Dr. Adams came to Idaho Falls from a position as
Music Director-Conductor of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony
Orchestra of Natchitoches, Louisiana. He also served as Director of
Orchestral Studies and Associate Professor of Music at Northwestern
State University. During his tenure in Natchitoches, the orchestra
developed into an ensemble that achieved regional recognition for its
performances. Performances of the orchestra were broadcast on
NPR-affiliated radio stations in four states, on an equal basis with
three professional orchestras in the region. The Orchestral Studies
Program grew from a total of five string students to its current
enrollment of over forty during his eight years at NSU.
Previous to his time in Louisiana, Dr. Adams served
as Associate Conductor of the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra and
Acting Music Director of the Brazos Sinfonietta,
both in Bryan-College Station, Texas. In this capacity, he conducted
subscription concerts, prepared the orchestra for guest conductors and
covered rehearsals in the absence of the
Music Director. For two years he conducted all performances of the
Brazos Sinfonietta, the chamber orchestra of
the BVS.O. In addition, Dr. Adams has appeared as a guest conductor with
orchestras such as the Mid-Texas and Fairbanks (Alaska) Symphony
Orchestras, as well as regional honor orchestras in Texas and Louisiana.
George Adams is a native of Los Angeles, where he
received his undergraduate musical training in Bassoon Performance and
Music Education at the University of Southern California. He earned a
Master of Arts degree in Conducting from Sam Houston State University
and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting and Bassoon
Performance from the University of Texas. He has studied conducting with
Drs. Walter Ducloux and
Fiora Contino (University of Texas),
as well as post-doctoral work with Elizabeth A. H. Green and Gustav
Meier (University of Michigan).
In addition to his study and work as a conductor,
Dr. Adams has had a significant career as an orchestral musician. As a
bassoonist, he was privileged to study with legendary Frederick Moritz,
principal bassoonist of the Berlin and Los Angeles Philharmonic
Orchestras. His orchestral experience includes performing with the Los
Angeles Philharmonic, Pasadena Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, Beverly
Hills Symphony and Houston Ballet Orchestras. He is adjunct instructor
of bassoon at BYU Idaho and Idaho State University, as well as a member
of the ISU Faculty Woodwind Quintet.
Dr. Adams has been the recipient of a number of
awards and honors. He was Maga1e Endowed Professor at Northwestern State
University and is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda. He
received special academic honors from the University of Texas and
graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California.
His professional affiliations include the College Music Society,
Conductor's Guild and the International Double Reed Society.
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Youth Symphony
Conductor
David A. Burger |
David Burger has always loved music, and sat for hours as a child,
listening to his parents' recordings of the great symphonies. He grew up
in southern Wisconsin, playing clarinet in bands and orchestras there.
In 1978 he graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo with a
Bachelor of Arts degree and a major in music education. While at BYU he
played clarinet in the Wind Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, and
Philharmonic Orchestra. He also developed a love for the tuba and the
double bass by playing those instruments in the Symphony Orchestra. In
1987 he graduated trom the University of Idaho with a Master of Music
degree. While at the U of I he played upright bass in a jazz ensemble of
graduate students.
David first taught high school band and choir in southern Utah for 4
years. While there, he instituted an elementary music program and taught
band and choir at 2 elementary schools as well as general music at the
junior high level. He came to Idaho Falls High School in 1981 and is
currently the Director of Bands, teaching symphonic band, chamber
ensembles, marching band, pep band, jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble,
philharmonic orchestra, and classical guitar. Many students have also
benefited trom his private music studio. David served for four years as
president of the Gem State Music District which comprises the ten large
high schools in eastern Idaho. As President he was also a member of the
Idaho Music Educators Board of Directors. While serving on the state
board, he researched and wrote the bylaws for the Idaho State Solo
Contest. This contest is open to all qualifying high school students in
Idaho and is now in its 10th year. David has appeared as conductor of
various Clinic Bands in the state and has judged at many festivals. In
addition he has been the Idaho All-State Band Chairman for three
different All-State Bands.
David plays in the Idaho Falls Symphony, and during his 21 years with
the organization, has played double bass (serving as principal for 10
years), tuba, principal clarinet, bass clarinet, and timpani. In
addition, he served on the symphony board for 2 years. Besides his
duties with the Idaho Falls Symphony and the Youth Symphony, he conducts
the Silent Film concert on the BNFL Snake River Chamber Series. David is
also the tuba player in the Yellowstone Brass, a professional brass
quintet located here in eastern Idaho.
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