Meet the Musicians
Welcome to our "Meet the Musicians" campaign! Every few weeks we will add a new profile about a member of our wind ensemble. Be sure to check back regularly!
1. What is your first name and what instrument do you play?
Andrea Kenter and I play flute. I did have a college music scholarship opportunity on the tenor sax but never pursued that path in life. Oh and I dabble playing the spoons too after a few beers.
2. Where do you live and what do/did you do for work?
My husband and I bought our farmhouse and 7 acres in Kingston, New Hampshire in 1991 and have raised three great kids; Linas (28). Daris (26) and Magdalena (22). It was a working large-scale chicken farm when we acquired it and our boys grew up with 10,000 birds every 6 weeks cycling through the coop. The chickens have sinced moved on and the coop is now filled with car renovation projects, an indoor archery range, and metal working shop.
I am a geologist by degree and a licensed Professional Geologist in New Hampshire. I am a part owner of an environmental and engineering consulting firm based in Manchester and my niche primarily involves the investigation and remediation of petroleum releases. My projects run the gamut from home heating oil basement spills to managing Getty’s New Hampshire legacy portfolio.
3. How long have you been involved with music?
I come from a musical family with an aunt who taught piano at Juliard and an uncle who played oboe with both the Indianapolis and Tucson Symphonies. My father played the flute and I grew up listening to him practice so music was always an integral part of our house. As a high school student I played a 1910 Haynes flute!
4. When did you join the Seacoast Wind Ensemble?
Not sure! 2016?
5. What is your favorite part of or favorite memory of playing with the Seacoast Wind Ensemble?
For me the ensemble is a perfect fit; I enjoy the challenging music and the camaraderie of the group. The broad cross-section of ages and experience continues to amaze me. I feel honored to play with this talented group.
6. Tell us something memorable about yourself.
I am a carded horse show judge.
I volunteer heavily with the NH 4H horse program and I coach the horse knowledge teams at the County, State, and National level every year.
I used to play a lot of competitive tennis and in the early 1980s and I travelled with my doubles partner to his homeland of Panama for some vacation. We ended up playing doubles against the body guards for Omar Torrijos (the de facto dictator at the time).
I really like double IPAs.
1. What is your first name and what instrument do you play?
I'm Jim, and I happily play tuba
2. Where do you live and what do/did you do for work?
I live in Lee, New Hampshire where I run a small farm raising elk, meat chickens, asian pear and anything else that I can sell profitably. I was a hydrogeologist (a geologist concentrating on ground water issues) for 30 years but now just run the farm.
3. How long been involved with music?
I started instrumental music in 7th grade with the trumpet, moved to euphonium in 8th grade, then tenor trombone in 9th. I continued my slide downhill in the brass world when I went to the bass trombone in 10th grade. That was in 1970. I played bass trombone throughout high school and into college, but stopped for a period of time when my work overseas and in this country just didn't allow playing. I started up again in the early 2000's and continued the "downward brass slide", taking up tuba several years ago.
4. When did you join the Seacoast Wind Ensemble?
I joined SWE around 2004 on the bass trombone, but now I play only tuba in the band.
5. What is your favorite part of or favorite memory of playing with the Seacoast Wind Ensemble?
My favorite part of SWE is having the opportunity to be with friends and colleagues who are all working towards a common goal of putting on high-quality musical performances. There are all levels of ability in the band, from people who were once very good but now...well...not so much, to people that play brilliantly. All are welcome with the proviso that each work as hard as they need to in order to play their part. Letting down your fellow members isn't part of the drill, and it's a pleasure to be part of a group like that.
6. Tell us something memorable about yourself!
I had the honor of serving as a Lee Selectman for six years. Not sure I'd want to do it again, but it certainly helped me develop the hide of a Cape Buffalo. Hard, thankless work, public office is.