Student selected for international orchestra
Friday, June 29, 2007
Van Der Maaten, a trombonist who majors in religion, was chosen from a record number of applicants who submitted taped auditions. He will be joined in the orchestra by about 50 other musicians, ages 18 to 25, from around the world.
The International Youth Wind Orchestra will be conducted by Gerhard Markson of Germany and Glenn Price of Canada. Renowned percussion soloist Evelyn Glennie of England will be featured in the orchestra’s concert.
The son of Randy and Karen Van Der Maaten says he is very excited to have this opportunity. “I’m looking forward to working with international musicians, seeing what kind of talent there is out there, and getting to meet people from around the world,” he says. “I think it will be a great experience.”
Van Der Maaten says the opportunity came highly recommended by Derek Beekhuizen, a 2002 Northwestern alumnus who performed in the ensemble in San Luis Obispo, Calif., in 1999 and in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 2001, and by Dr. Tim McGarvey, associate professor of music. Two other Northwestern graduates have played in the International Youth Wind Orchestra: 2002 alumna Andrea Weinert, who performed in Switzerland in 2001, and 2003 alumna Angela Bock, a member of the 2003 orchestra that played in Sweden.
During his time at Northwestern, Van Der Maaten has performed in the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Brass Ensemble. A 2006 member of the Iowa Collegiate Honor Band, he has also played in the Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra and the Le Mars Community Band. The student of Vance Shoemaker, lecturer in music, is a member of Northwestern’s Student Activities Council and will serve as a resident assistant this fall.
Another Northwestern student, senior Anthony Ebert of Grinnell, Iowa, was selected as the orchestra’s first alternate on horn. He was invited to attend but was unable to rearrange his summer commitments.
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