Jonathan Lax:  

School I am a graduate of the Lincoln School, in New Providence, New Jersey, Summit Junior High School and Summit High School" class of 74. The most inspirational teacher I had was Mr. Merola. Mr. Merola told me to study with Dr. Donald S. Reinhardt, go to Temple University and become a band director. I did all three of his majoy suggestions. I also learned alot from Mr. Post, my theory teacher. I ended up with a degree in composition from Berklee College of Music. Also, one day in Math class, Mr. Jones said "look out the window, it is snowing". Most teachers say the opposite like "you have seen snow before, don't look out the window and concentrate on your work." The difference was, Mr. Jones was the ski club advisor at SHS. I was a member of the ski club. I was also on the tennis team and in the Band. I played in every school ensemble and sang in every choral group that existed at SHS. I ask people to ask me how did I like high school. I respond by saying, "I don't know? I was in the band.!!!" College I went to Temple University and was a music education major. I took 44 classes in 4 semesters. I played in the Diamond Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Gabrielli Consort, Jazz Ensemble and performed in 2 Mahler symphonies with the orchestra. I was the 5th best trumpet player out of 35 trumpet players. I was quite impatient and wanted to play more orchestra concerts. So, if I waited untill my junior year, I would have been the "top dog". Instead I auditioned at Curtis Institute of Music. I also applied to Berklee College of Music. For the Curtis audition, I was one of 40 trumpeters auditioning for 2 spots. I played my a...Expand for more