I am extremely thankful for the support that ICE provides to the Keys community. I used my scholarships to purchase several things that would later become essential in my pursuit of music. The greatest thing that I purchased from my scholarship was a tuba mouthpiece. As someone who couldn't afford a tuba quite yet in late middle school and early high school, I knew that a quality mouthpiece was the next best thing.
I still use the same mouthpiece to this day and I think of ICE just about every time that I perform with it. Without the support of ICE and Dave Feder, I would not be where I am today. I just began my masters degree in orchestral conducting at the Boston Conservatory and everyday I aspire to make the Keys proud. Eventually, I hope to give back to the Keys community, helping out another aspirating artist, just like ICE did for me.

While attending Coral Shores High School, Ismael Sandoval played a school-owned tuba and needed help with the purchase a professional quality mouthpiece costing $250. While in high school, Ismael was part of the Keys Community Concert Band and was selected to play in the University of Miami’s Honor Band, consisting of the best high school musicians from across South Florida. Ismael later went on to study Music Education & Music Composition at University of Florida and was the President of Education at UF's Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.

Currently, he is studying Orchestral Conducting at Boston Conservatory at Berklee School of Music while participating in Conducting Concerti Workshops across the country.

http://www.gainesville.com/news/20130214/be-my-valentine-came-in-all-sorts-of-way

 

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UF fraternity sings to support Boston Marathon victims

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phi-mu-alpha-uf-boston-event-1One local fraternity stepped up Wednesday to try and raise awareness and funds for the bombing in Boston.

The University of Florida Phi Mu Alpha chapter was in Turlington plaza singing “America the Beautiful” in support of the victims of the Boston Marathon Massacre.

President of Phi Mu Alpha Ismael Sandoval said his fellow fraternity members wanted to come together to do whatever they could to help support the victims through their art form.

“It’s more about just getting the message across that we’re here for those that were affected in the Boston incident, that we’re here to support the country as a whole during such a terrible time,” he said.

While the fraternity sang, many spectators made donations to the relief fund. Sandoval says he does not know exactly which fund the fraternity will donate too, but regardless,  the money will go to those affected by the bombing.

Phi Mu Alpha’s Philanthropy Chairman Freddy Masterson said he noticed the Gainesville area could do more for the victims and hopes the event will inspire other students to do similar fundraising efforts.

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