SDSO's Principal Oboist Receives Ford Musician Award for Excellence in Community Service

Jeffrey Paul, principal oboist for the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) is one of only ve exemplary musicians selected by The League of American Orchestras to receive The Ford Musician Award for Excellence in Community Service. A new program made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund, the awards celebrate orchestra musicians and the essential work they do in their communities. Five orchestra musicians were selected to receive awards by a panel of industry professionals through a competitive nomination process. They include a $2,500 grant to each musician, as well as an additional $2,500 grant to their home orchestra to support professional development focused on community service and engagement for its musicians.

"These ve musicians serve as models and mentors to the entire orchestra eld," said Jesse Rosen, the League of American Orchestras' President and CEO. "Their commitment and dedicated work, whether by inspiring under-served students, bringing comfort in healthcare settings, or bridging cultures through their artistry, is on the leading edge of orchestras' service to their communities."

Music Director for the SDSO, Delta David Gier, said of Paul, "Jeffery Paul is certainly among the best oboists I have worked with anywhere in the world. He is a superb musician whose creativity informs all of his music-making, across genres and in whatever musical environment he participates."

Paul has been integrally involved in the development of the SDSO's Lakota Music Project (LMP) from its inception. Designed to address racial tensions in South Dakota, the LMP is a side-by-side program with Native American musicians which has run since 2009. During the development of the initial program, Paul connected with the drumming group with which the SDSO collaborated with, resulting in a composition combining that drumming group and the chamber orchestra.

"I feel that all humans have the need to express, and that music is one of the most effective ways of doing that," said Paul. "I believe the reason that what I do may affect so many people in the community is that my approach is more about reaching in than out, listening and trying to become intuitive of how people can share, connect, respect, heal, and help each other through all parts of life. I try to use it as a way to better myself and contribute more constructively to the world around me in my own small way. I am deeply grateful and humbly honored to accept this award."

Paul received his master's degree from the University of Southern California for oboe performance in 2003. He has performed as a soloist with the New West Symphony, Heidelberg Castle Festival Orchestra, Conejo Concerto Orchestra, and has substituted with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and San Diego Symphony. In composition, Paul has received awards from the Young Composer's Guild of the Music Teachers Association of California, and has received commissions from various organizations including the SDSO and the Young Artists Ensemble theater group in California. Paul has recorded for various projects, including a Warner Bros. lm scoring session, a hip-hop orchestra, aspiring jazz/rock/fusion bands, and a spattering of independent short lms.

Paul and the other awardees and their orchestras will receive their awards at the League's National Conference in Baltimore, June 9-11, 2016. The musicians will also participate in a Conference presentation and separate webinar, providing the orchestra eld opportunities to learn from their experience.

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