Kaukauna, WI
May 17,1999
In May of 1998 the Performing Arts Committee at Kaukauna High School entered into an agreement with Tim Dorsey to be an “artist-in-residence” at the new high school and work with the Concert Choir to produce a selection that would be performed in concert for the dedication of the new auditorium. The benefits of this collaboration far exceeded my expectations.
I met with Tim, initially, the early part of February to look at the composition and fine tune it to meet the vocal abilities within my choir. Tim was extremely receptive to any changes that needed to be addressed. A few weeks later he began working directly with the students. It was exciting to watch the evolution of Tim’s composition and witness the warm rapport he developed with my students. He put everyone at ease with his “unassuming” style and was yet professional enough to elicit from the youth the desire to bring the piece to a higher plateau at each rehearsal.
The culmination of Tim’s hard work with the choir was certainly evident at the Spring Concert. When his composition,” New Beginnings” was performed the audience responded with a thunderous, standing ovation.
To say that our experience with Tim Dorsey was a success would be an understatement. The school district is so pleased with this undertaking that negotiations are underway to include Tim in our 1999-2000 Performing Arts Series.
I would highly recommend any school district that is searching for a true “artist” and dynamic performer to allow their students to be inspired by Tim Dorsey. He is a remarkable talent!
Sincerely,
Christine Krueger
Choral Director
Kaukauna High School
June 10, 1999
To Whom It May Concern:
As a member of the Kaukauna High School performing Arts Series Committee I contacted Tim Dorsey to pursue the possibility of his serving a term as artist-in-residence during the second semester at KHS. As artist-in-residence his duties would include composing a new choral song to celebrate the opening of the new Kaukauna High School, working with students to produce the song, appearing with them in their Spring Choral Concert, and, finally, appearing in a concert as the concluding offering of our Performing Arts Series which initiated the new auditorium.
Tim was eager to fulfill the commission. He was also artistically and temperamentally suited to the project. Tim’s work with high school students was inspired: he seemed to understand the high school mentality and how to carry students across that mysterious border they seem unwilling to cross so that they would willingly explore a new piece of music. It goes without saying that the song Tim composed for the Concert Choir suited our hopes and communicated the “New Beginnings” message we dreamed of.
If we could sponsor an annual artist-in-residence program for the Choral Department, Tim would be our annual choice. His enthusiasm, his exciting stage presence, and his simple pleasures in that which happens as a concert comes to maturity is just what we want students to see. Music is dynamic. Music is consuming. Music is fun. Tim says all of this with his actions and his communication. We couldn’t have been more pleased with anyone else.
Sincerely,
Bernard F. Hupperts
Chair
Performing Arts Series Committee
Mr. Dorsey,
I know that this letter is a bit over due, but I wanted to thank you for working with us and composing our piece for the new Kaukauna High School. you were an excellent teacher, opening our eyes to new ideas and helping us to further our own music education. You were always in a great mood, and made us look forward to working wih you.
I really enjoyed working with you and learning from you. This experience is something that will stick out in my mind as one of the highlights of my senior year. I will always carry this with me as I go on to major in music education. ‘Thank you for you dedication. Thank you for your inspiration.’
Stephanie Luckow
Soprano
KHS Concert Choir
Class of 1999
OSHKOSH WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Oshkosh, WI
February 24,1998
For the past two weeks I have had the privilege of having Tim Dorsey as a guest soloist and lecturer with the Oshkosh West Senior High School Choir. I really appreciated Tim’s willingness to cater his presentation to what I wanted and to what the choir needed. Tim and I met for an extended period of time before he even met with the students to analyze the music and decide on a plan of action for presenting it to the students. Tim is a real ‘idea man’ with a lot of creativity. Tim had a great rapport with the students and the appreciated him as a musician and as a teacher. Tim is a gifted musician and a talented performer in a variety of styles of music. He is very professional in his dealings yet is still warm and friendly. I recommend Tim highly for any school looking for an artist in residence, soloist, or guest lecturer.
Herb Berendsen
Director of Choral Activities
Oshkosh West Senior High School
SABISH JUNIOR HIGH
Fond du Lac, WI
March 1998
Tim Dorsey recently began working with students at Sabish Junior High, specifically with the 200 students in chorus. I have found Mr. Dorsey a joy to work with, because he’s creative and motivates the students as he works with them. He has composed a song in four – part harmony that is up beat and relevant to the students lives. His arrangement of the music is sensitive to the needs of the ever changing junior high voice and he’s also flexible in his adjustments of the song when needed. Most of all I am impressed with Mr. Dorsey’s concern for the youth. He’s not just a talented singer/songwriter, but also a musician who has a heart for young people. He reaches kids with his music and the students enjoy him and relate well to him. I highly recommend Tim Dorsey!
Sincerely,
Angela J. Otte
Choral Director
Sabish Junior High