TROY – A Troy University professor is among a select group of music educators asked to help train Singapore’s premier military band.

Dr. James Zingara recently traveled to Singapore at the invitation of Major Phillip Tng, commander of the Singapore Armed Services Central Band. While there, he conducted daily brass sectionals and trumpet lessons with Central Band members. He also taught clinics to trumpeters at the Cedar Girls’ Secondary School and the Tanjong Katong Girl’s School.

Currently an associate professor of music at TROY’s John M. Long School of Music, Zingara joined music director James Keene, director of bands at the University of Illinois, percussion clinician Dr. Thomas Fraschillo, director of bands at the University of Southern Mississippi, and woodwind clinician Lynn Klock, professor of saxophone at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, in the May trip.

“The Central Band is following an aggressive plan of development and brings in world-renowned clinicians to aid the process,” Zingara said. “The experience was exceptional for me and my American counterparts and helped Singapore’s premier military ensemble become even better.”

The clinic concluded with a concert at Singapore’s historic Victoria Hall. During the concert, Zingara performed the world premier of the wind ensemble version of Luigi Zaninelli’s Golden Horn, a work originally written for Doc Severinsen.

Zingara was then joined by Central Band members Winston Goh and Bennie Goh for Leroy Anderson’s Bugler’s Holiday. Dr. Fraschillo, president of the American Bandmaster’s Association, conducted both pieces.

Dr. James Zingara, assistant professor of music at Troy University’s John M. Long School of Music, provided clinical expertise to the Central Band’s trumpet section in May. The Central Band is Singapore’s premier military ensemble

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