Evangel University Concert Orchestra returns from 31-day European tour

June 8, 2009
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, Director of Public Relations and Publications (417) 865-2815, ext. 7292

Evangel University's Concert Orchestra in front of the Eiffel Tower

Performance in Saronno, Italy

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Evangel University Concert Orchestra returned late Monday evening, June 1, from its 31-day European tour.

Traveling with 39 student musicians and their director, Dr. Larry Dissmore, the Orchestra made 22 appearances in seven European nations. They performed in church services as well as in formal concerts.

To kick off the tour, they also performed three concerts in the St. Louis area before departing from the St. Louis International Airport on May 4.

The Orchestra performed concerts in Prague, Czech Republic; Vienna, Austria; Bergamo, Saronno, Ostia, Rome and Acqui Terme, Italy; Cannes, Mulhouse, Metz, Paris and Amiens, France; Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany; Marcinelle, Belgium; and Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Their May 14 concert in Saronno, Italy, was broadcast live on the Web and could be viewed around the world.

“Although our performance schedule was very full, we had the opportunity to enjoy cultural excursions in most of the cities we visited,” Dissmore said. “In many locations, Orchestra members were accommodated by host families, further enhancing the depth of the students’ cultural exchange.”

The 2009 European tour by the Evangel Concert Orchestra marked its third overseas tour. Previously, the Orchestra traveled to Europe and to the United Kingdom in 1999 and 2005. Since 1996, the Concert Orchestra has performed in all 48 contiguous states, Canada, and 10 European nations.

The repertoire of the Concert Orchestra includes classical, sacred and contemporary Christian arrangements for orchestra, as well as various arrangements for voices with orchestral accompaniment.

Dr. Larry Dissmore, director of the Concert Orchestra, has served on the Evangel University faculty since 1988. An accomplished violinist, Dissmore received his musical education at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Wichita State University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Evangel University is the national college of arts and sciences of the Assemblies of God. Evangel offers more than 100 undergraduate academic programs and eight master’s programs. Evangel’s enrollment is nearly 2,000 students from all 50 states and abroad.

For additional information, call Larry Dissmore at 417-865-2815 ext. 7214.