Klarinet Archive - Posting 000337.txt from 1997/07

From: "ROGER W. FERRELL" <102623.2572@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Bios
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 1997 21:39:18 -0400

I like the bio idea - I'm a regular "listener" to this list, but I haven't
spoken up too much...

My name is Roger Ferrell. I'm currently a Senior Master Sergeant in the Air
Force, stationed at Robins AFB in Georgia, about 15 minutes drive south of
Macon. My present job is Director of Operations for the Band of the USAF
Reserve. I graduated from Emporia State University (Kansas) in 1977 with a BME,
concentrating in clarinet, sax and flute. I came into the Air Force that year
with hopes of getting into the AF Band in Washington. Unfortunately, things
didn't pan out, so I left the service and taught school in Kansas for a year.
Because of almost going broke doing that, I decided to come back to the Air
Force, do my 20 years and retire, then try and get back into something musical.

In a lot of ways, this has been a fun job in regards to traveling - I've lived
in Germany, been to Hawaii and Alaska, toured in Russia, Turkey, all over Europe
(Just got back from Bulgaria yesterday, as a matter of fact), and most of the
US. The downside is that I don't get much chance to play anymore because of my
particular duties - I'm in charge of the scheduling for the band, plus setting
up all the tours. Playing opportunities are also scarce on the outside here,
too - mostly church jobs, etc. Right now, most of my time is occupied with work
and my two teenagers (one of each; I'm a single parent).

I play a Buffet R-13 with a Pomarico 1+ crystal mouthpiece and either VanDoren
V-12 #4 reeds or Steur #3 reeds. I'm seriously thinking about getting a LeBlanc
Concerto in the near future - loved the horns I've tried.

Roger