Showcase Your Music Ensemble in the Music City
Animado Events proudly presents the Elite Performance Series at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville.
Shine the spotlight on your talented ensembles as they take part in exciting festival performances with acclaimed clinicians in a professional concert hall.
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s home since 2006, is considered one of the world’s finest acoustic venues. Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the concert hall boasts distinctive neo-classical architecture incorporating motifs and design elements that pay homage to the history, culture, and people of Middle Tennessee.
About Our Guest Clinicians
Dr. David A. O’Shields
David A. O’Shields retired from teaching in 2018 after a 37-year career as a high school and college band director. His tenures include the University of South Carolina, Lexington High School, Meridian Public School District, and New Hope High School.
Dr. O’Shields is a four-time recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence. The Theta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, Professional Bandmasters Fraternity has recognized Dr. O’Shields as the Outstanding Bandmaster in South Carolina and as Outstanding Contributor to Bands in South Carolina.
He recently served as chair of the adjudication committee and president-elect of the South Carolina Band Directors Association. Dr. O’Shields has served as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and is a former state chairman for the College Band Directors National Association and the National Band Association.
In addition, he served as Southeastern District Governor for Kappa Kappa Psi, guiding chapters throughout the region and working on a national level in the areas of student leadership and musical development for chapters.
Dr. O’Shields holds professional memberships in numerous organizations including the National Band Association, the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Beta Mu.
As a performer, Dr. O’Shields plays professionally on both clarinet and piano, including performances with the Mississippi Symphony and the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, in addition to numerous free-lance engagements for churches and private events.
Dr. Eric Stark
Stark’s dynamic career includes partnerships with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, American Pianists Association, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Dance Kaleidoscope, Indiana Repertory Theater, Butler University, Indianapolis Children’s Choir, Jordan College Academy of Dance, Newfields, and Clowes Memorial Hall. He also worked with the Chinese University of Hong Kong Chorus and Orquesta Sinfonica Juvenil de Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia).
In 2012, Stark served as chorus master for the National Football League’s Super Bowl XLVI halftime show, featuring Madonna, Cee Lo Green, Nicki Minaj, and LMFAO.
In 2014 he was awarded the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash.
Other recognitions include acclaimed performances at Carnegie Hall, the Hong Kong Cultural Center Concert Hall, Shanghai’s Oriental Art Center Concert Hall, Beijing’s Forbidden City Concert Hall, the Hong Kong City Center Concert Hall, São Paulo’s Teatro Municipal, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Strathmore Hall in Bethesda, MD.
Named a Fulbright Scholar in 2020, Stark accepted invitations to conduct and teach at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and the Pontifical Catholic University in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Additionally, he served as guest conductor of the acclaimed Coral Paulistano in São Paulo.
In addition to his duties as Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Stark is also Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Butler University’s Jordan College of Fine Arts. Prior to this position, Dr. Stark served on the faculties of Christian Theological Seminary, Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne and Earlham College.
In his free time, Stark is a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight, a non-profit network of pilots providing free air transportation for those with medical needs.
The Elite Performance Series Includes:
The Elite Performance Series is a concert performance, clinic, and prestigious performance – all in one exceptional event. Every Elite package includes:
- Extensive one-on-one time with outstanding, internationally-known clinicians
- Formal festival performance and adjudication
- One-hour clinic with Dr. David A. O’Shields
- Concert at a prestigious venue
- Digital audio recording of performance and Encore Concert
- Commemorative program
- Adjudicator comments
- Award Plaques
- Artist Pass
Nashville is in a Class by Itself!
While here, dig into music’s southern roots and explore Music City. Take a backstage tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium, check out the Country Music Hall of Fame, step onto the stage at the iconic Grand Ole Opry, or take part in a recording session where legends like Elvis Presley recorded on the RCA Studio B Tour.
Registration
Middle and High School band, choir, and orchestra ensembles are invited to participate.
Applicants must include a recent performance or superior rating from a state contest (within one year of applying).
