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| 8-29-00 Contacts: Peter Radideau, Liberal Arts & Sciences, (515) 294-3146 Sue Haug, Music, (515) 294-5364 Dave Gieseke, LAS Public Relations, (515) 294-7742 Steve Sullivan, News Service, (515) 294-3720 SIMON ESTES JOINS ISU MUSIC DEPARTMENT FACULTY AMES, Iowa – International opera star Simon Estes has joined the Iowa State University music faculty. Estes, a native of Centerville, will be at Iowa State for 10 weeks each year. His appointment was announced today (Tuesday, Aug. 29) by Peter Rabideau, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Sue Haug, associate professor and chair of the Iowa State music department. "Mr. Estes brings an incredible background of international performing experience to Iowa State," Haug said. "In addition to this record of achievement, he is a wonderful human being and a caring role model for students. I can think of no finer influence for students than a man of his talent and integrity. " While on campus, Estes will work with Iowa State vocal/choral students through lessons, seminars and master classes. One of his primary activities this fall will be coaching Opera Studio classes for the performances of the holiday opera "Amahl and the Night Visitors," which will be performed by music students in the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall in November. Estes also will join the music faculty for a performance of Lee Hoiby's tribute to Martin Luther King's famous speech "I Have a Dream." The performance will be Nov. 3 in the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall. His schedule during the spring semester includes a performance with the Midwest Children's Choir Festival in February and a scholarship musicale in April. His primary teaching emphasis will be coaching Iowa State vocal students. "I have been an artist-in-residence at many different colleges throughout the nation," Estes said. "But when Iowa State invited me here for this type of position, I jumped at the opportunity. "I want to share the knowledge that I have of some of the world's great conductors and singers with the students here at Iowa State, and hopefully motivate them to look into classical music and operatic careers," he added. With his recent performance at the Kennedy Center with Placido Domingo, Estes has performed over 100 roles. He has appeared with all the major international opera companies and is in high demand as a recitalist and orchestral soloist. Aside from his work on the stage, Estes has had many other memorable musical events in his career. He twice sang at the White House for President George Bush and once for President Lyndon Johnson. He also appeared at the inaugural concert of the Kennedy Center as a soloist and sang at both the 25th anniversary of the United Nations and the opening of the Olympic Games in Munich. During a four-week residence at Iowa State last year, Estes gave a series of public lectures, master classes and performances. -30- |
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