Jo Ann M.

Gross, Director of Bands

Shepherd High School
100 Hall Street
Shepherd, Michigan 48883
jagross@shepherdschools.net, (989) 560-5625

November 30, 2015

To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Jo Ann Gross, and I have been the Director of Bands at Shepherd High School and
Middle School for the past eighteen years. I have been asked by Hunter OBrien to write a letter of
recommendation on his behalf. Words cannot begin to express what an honor this is. Therefore, with
great pleasure, I am writing to you today.
I have had Hunter in many classes and performing ensembles since his sixth grade year at
Shepherd Middle School. He has performed in our concert bands, marching band, jazz band, pep band,
and small ensembles for solo and ensemble. Last year he and I (mostly him) worked together for two
semesters of independent music theory study. He is currently dual enrolled at Central Michigan
University. He is taking theory as well as sight singing and ear training. In addition to playing the flute,
he doubles on the bass guitar for our jazz and pep bands. Hunter does not stop here. He does so much
extra and has been a featured performer many times. I have never had and will never have a player of
his caliber again.
His list of accomplishments is extremely long for a student his age. He is well known throughout
Michigan. His performances often end in a standing ovation. At meetings and conferences with my
band and orchestra colleagues the conversation almost always turns to Hunter. Everyone is amazed at
his level of musicianship. One of my colleagues summed it up best when he said, he is a professional
musician trapped in a high schoolers body.
As a student, Hunter is everything a teacher could dream of and more. Even with his extraordinary
talent, he has a very humble and appreciative nature. He is always punctual and usually beats me here
in the morning for our 6:45 a.m. jazz class. He is always prepared for class and works hard no matter
how difficult the repertoire. He gives everything 110% always.
He is highly self-motivated and holds himself to his own extremely high standards. He helps me often by
working with his high school peers and our younger musicians. All students in our program have the
deepest admiration and respect for him. I, personally, look to him when I have flute-related questions.
He practices every moment possible. I have never had such a dedicated student. He soaks hours in
every day. He comes in nearly every day during my prep period, and I thoroughly enjoy listening to him
practice solos, etudes, orchestral excerpts, etc. I am going to miss this next year.

I cannot express what a thrilling, emotional experience it is to see and listen to him perform. Watching
him evolve over the last several years has been a fantastic journey. His performances are captivating. I
cannot tell you how many times I have to remind myself to breathe when he is on stage. He is such a
mature performer, and his musical expression is unbelievable. He has this quality which draws the
audience right in.
He has a terrific support system around him. His family and I have traveled quite a bit together to see
him perform all over the state from Interlochen, to Grand Rapids for the MSBOA All State performances
and to Kalamazoo for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. In January 2016, he will be performing as
principal flute in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Associations All State Orchestra. We are now
setting our sites on Texas in hopes he will win the MTNA Senior Performance Competition.
The time has now come for Hunter to move on to the next phase in his life. It is with the utmost
confidence, I say wherever he decides to go to further his studies, the institution of his choice will be the
absolute luckiest place in the world. He is an unbelievable musician and one of the classiest people I
know.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further question about Hunter. I am happy to do anything
I can to assist him.
Sincerely,

Jo Ann M. Gross
Director of Bands
Shepherd High School