Meet the Maestro... William G. Rose 

Academic Role:

William G. Rose is Associate Professor of Music at McNeese State University, where he has taught since 1986. He also serves as Assistant Department Head and Coordinator of Equipment and Technology. He holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin–                                                                                 Milwaukee and Michigan State University.

Musicianship and Performance:
A true multi-instrumentalist, Rose performs on a wide range of instruments including trombone (all voices), euphonium, tuba, guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, string and electric bass, keyboards, and alphorn. At McNeese, he teaches low brass, music theory, and music technology, and has conducted ensembles such as the brass choir, wind ensemble, and jazz ensemble.

Beyond campus, he is Principal Trombone with the Lake Charles Symphony (where he also serves as Interim Music Director and Conductor) and the Rapides Symphony. He has performed with ensembles across the U.S. and internationally, and with artists ranging from Bob Hope and Liberace to Johnny Mathis and Neal Sedaka.

Compositions and Conducting:
Rose is a prolific composer and arranger, with works for band, orchestra, jazz, choir, brass, handbells, organ/piano, and alphorn. His compositions have been published by leading music publishers and performed worldwide. Notably, he composed Alice in Wonderland, a full-length ballet premiered by the Lake Charles Civic Ballet in 2017, and several pieces for alphorn premiered in Switzerland and at international festivals. He has served as music director or conductor for more than 40 musical theater and ballet productions.

Recognition and Service:
He has held multiple endowed professorships at McNeese, is a Yamaha Performing Artist, and has served as a clinician and performer at national and international music conferences. He directed music at St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church in Lake Charles for 30 years. Currently, he chairs the International Trombone Association Press and is an active recording artist.

 Sara Hook graduated from the University of North Texas in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance under the tutelage of Philip Lewis. She also trained at the prestigious National Repertory Orchestra in 2012 and 2016.  Sara currently serves as Concertmaster of the Lake Charles Symphony and performs regularly with the Omaha Symphony and the Victoria Symphony. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Sara developed her versatile showmanship as electric violinist in the rock band Graphidum. The band performed regularly in Omaha 2005-2010 and released an EP in 2009. While studying in Denton, she expanded her musical horizons to include genres such as jazz and funk resulting in collaborations with icons George Clinton, Parliament Funkadelic, and funk sensation Foley. Sara is passionate about sharing her love of music through teaching. Since moving to Houston in 2013, Sara has developed a thriving studio for violin and viola. Her students regularly excel in ensembles such as the Houston Youth Symphony and achieve top positions in their school orchestras and regional orchestras. Sara is an avid kayaker and member of the Houston Canoe Club. She also enjoys yoga, lifting weights, taking walks with her spouse, cooking meals, and cuddling with her cats.

"Music has the extraordinary ability to touch hearts and minds. As a professional violinist, I feel privileged to use my skills and passion to unite communities, creating a space for emotional and mental refuge."