FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOME OF STATE’S FINEST MUSICIANS TO DISPLAY TALENTS ON EUROPEAN TOUR

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., June 7, 2002 - The Missouri Ambassadors of Music, a highly select concert band, choir and jazz band, will represent Missouri in a 16-day tour of seven European countries from June 15-30

The Missouri Ambassadors also toured Europe in 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000. Students were selected on the basis of recommendations from their high school music teachers.

This year’s group will include 100 performers as well as 15 state band and choir directors who will serve as instructors and chaperons.

The tour itinerary will include concerts and sightseeing in London, Paris, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy. The bands and choir will spend three days rehearsing on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University and will present a free farewell concert at 7:30 p.m. June 14 in Academic Auditorium on the Southeast campus.

Serving as tour music director and conductor of the Concert Band is Southeast Professor of Music, Dr. Robert Gifford. Ron Atteberry, director of choral activities at Lebanon High School, will conduct the choir, and Robert Altman, director of bands at Hazelwood Central High School, will lead the Jazz Band.