Page 15 - Spring 2024
P. 15
Spotlight on Alumni, continued...
fond memories of accompanying the chorus (on piano)
with Gladys Tarbell directing. I was inspired by her
strength and skill. She could get so much music out
of us! “She also credits Joe Tufts (band), and Phil Chase
(biology) as her most influential teachers.” Beyond their
educational skills, it was their enthusiasm for their
respective area which inspired me.”
London taught at the University of Maine, Augusta,
and Berklee College of Music in Boston, becoming the
first female chair at Berklee in 1994. After nearly 25
years in college education and administration, Barbara
left to focus on composing, recording, and painting. Travis James Humphrey ’95 can pinpoint the precise
Her credits include three National Endowment for moment he decided that music would be his career.
the Arts jazz performance grants, the Newport Jazz “I was watching the Nokomis jazz band perform at
Festival in NYC with Aerial an all-female ensemble, the a competition in my senior year. I had signed up for
Women’s Jazz Festival in Kansas City, presentation of a college to study criminal justice, but watching them,
contemporary music theory paper in the Netherlands, and not being up there, I realized that is where I
and guest workshops and performances at schools and needed to be. I signed up for the USAF Band shortly
festivals across the U.S. After years of soul -searching thereafter.” Travis served with the United States Air
she accepted and trusted her own desire to pursue Force as a Bandsman for 8 years. He returned home to
jazz performance and composition regardless of the Maine in 2003. Since then, he has worked hard to build
challenges. It may come as a surprise to know that the a following. On any given Tuesday through Saturday
pursuit of a career in music was not an easy or obvious night, you can find him somewhere in Maine singing
decision for her. “Even when I had some success, I for “folks who care.” For him, that is living the dream.
struggled with whether I would make a meaningful Travis has opened shows for (and in some cases
contribution or be of service in my community by worked with) B.B. King, Roy Clark, Ricky Skaggs, Johnny
choosing music over medicine. The UNH Philosophy Hiland, Denny Breau, Bill Chinnock, and many others,
of Art course that I audited well after I graduated both as a solo performer and as a backing guitarist
helped me understand the value of the arts, especially for other feature performers. He has also released 4
the power and part that music plays in our society. I studio albums. While at HHS, he was active in student
am grateful that I had the opportunity to both play government and played varsity soccer. Musically, he
and create music as well as share my passion and participated in chorus, band, show choir and jazz band.
knowledge with young musicians from around the When asked which teacher had the greatest impact on
globe.” his career choice, he quickly pointed to former choral
director, Drew Poulopoulos.
Travis also has fond memories of performing at the
annual variety show. Many will recall that the variety
show was one of the major events that took place
during the high school circus.
www.houltonalumni.com 15
