AMBASSADORS OF MUSIC TO TAKE EUROPEAN TOUR

The Missouri Ambassadors of Music, under the direction of Southeast Missouri State professor Robert Gifford, will embark on a 16-day tour of seven European countries from June 16 to July 1.

The Missouri Ambassadors, an elite concert band, choir, jazz and Dixieland Band, also toured Europe in 1990 and 1992. Students are selected on the basis of recommendations from their high school music teachers.

This year's group will include 139 students as well as 24 state band and choir directors who will serve as instructors and chaperons.

The tour itinerary includes concerts and sightseeing in London, Paris, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy.

The bands and choir will spend three days rehearsing on the Southeast campus and will present a free farewell concert at 7:30 p.m. June 15 in Academic Auditorium at Southeast Missouri State.

Gifford is serving as music director and conductor of the concert band. Charles Phegley Jr., DeSoto High School choir director, will conduct the choir. Robert Meeks, director of jazz studies at Missouri Southern State College, will lead the jazz band and the Dixieland Band.

Other Missouri Ambassadors of Music staff members from the area are : Ann Porter Gifford, Southeast assistant professor of elementary and special education; Ron Nall, band director at Cape Girardeau Central Senior High; and Anita Nall, a Cape Public Schools teacher.

Students from the area who are participating include : George Aplin, Beth Bowlin, Shawna Bradley, Rebecca Long, Lucas Lowes, Daron Nall, Mark Rose, Kirsten Werne and Blaine Oxley, all of whom are from Cape. Christina Roethemeyer of Jackson will also participate in the European musical tour.