[Music Director and Conductor]  [Youth Symphony Conductor]   [Chorale Director]
Music Director and Conductor George C. Adams

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 ofthe 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.

 
   [Music Director and Conductor]  [Youth Symphony Conductor]   [Chorale Director]
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.
 
   [Music Director and Conductor]  [Youth Symphony Conductor]   [Chorale Director]
Symphony Chorale Director Solveig Nyberg-Akert
Solveig Nyberg-Akert moved to Idaho Falls in August, 2002, and quickly became entrenched in the community's music scene. She sang with the chorale for one semester before taking over as director in January. Her other pursuits here include serving as music director/organist at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, singing in Anam Cara, operating a private music studio, music directing IFYAC's production of "Children of Eden" and Mountain River Ranch's Summer Show. She also serves on the board of Idaho Falls Opera Theater.

Prior to her move to Idaho Falls, Solveig lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she taught in the music departments of York College and Dana College and was Minister of Music at Heritage Presbyterian. She was music director for many productions at the Lincoln Community Playhouse and Pinewood Bowl, and performed frequently around the area in operas, musical theater, oratorios and recitals.

Solveig majored in violin at St. Olaf College and graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from Yankton College Conservatory. While doing graduate work in voice at the University of Minnesota, she sang with the Dale Warland Singers and Concentus Musicus Chorus under the direction of Helmuth Rilling. She received her Master of Music degree in vocal performance for the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where she studied with Donna Harler-Smith and Ariel Bybee.

The Idaho Falls Symphony and Chorale was one of the big draws in bringing Solveig, her husband, Bruce and son, Erik, to this community. She is looking forward to a long and happy association with this important musical organization.