Members of the Southern Adventist University Wind Symphony went on their annual tour for three days–Oct. 17-20–in the Orlando area. As part of the tour, students visited churches and academies. All members of the Wind Symphony were required to go on the tour. When students commit to membership in the band, they agree to attend all performances, even those in another state.
Myers explained that even though the trips are a requirement, most, if not all, of the students in Wind Symphony are excited to go on the trip.
“Tours are always a lot of fun,” Student Conductor Michaela Myers said. “We understand that we will come back an even stronger group to continue growing throughout the rest of the school year.”
The primary ensembles on Southern's campus do extended tours, such as the orchestra's recent tour to Puerto Rico. Generally each ensemble goes on a tour once or twice a year. These are annual events that usually happen in the fall and spring. However, the extended tours rotate through the different ensembles, so only one group goes each year. The smaller tours are a chance for the group to bond while serving the purpose of recruitment for Southern and our ensembles. Myers said, “We get to meet the students at the schools that we visit and show them what the music program at Southern is. The trip to Florida was a smaller tour.”