“Music has pushed me toward it”. The interview with Myles Glancy, the tour manager of the American Boy Choir started with tales of church singing and nothing but supportive parents. Of course, the interview would be empty without understand Myles’ beginning in a field where he now wears multiple hats.
Myles had not always been aware of the necessity of music. He participated in choir in elementary school and high school, then applied to college with the intent of pursuing psychology and music. Apparently the latter focus became too important to ignore as Myles described an epiphany like moment when he had a dream about going to a school that immersed him in music. That caught his attention, and he has focused on it ever since, however many forms that now manifests as.
Connections quickly became the topic of choice during our interview, which is how he ended up as a tour manager, something he never imagined doing. Ryan Dalton, a close friend of his, messaged him about the opportunity, perhaps even before it had been posted. He may have not known about it otherwise. Through his work with Anne Sears and Dr. Joe Miller, he was able to have a short interview and immediately have a job. He adamantly expressed how his connections are what helped him, and how crucial it is to find connections in order to better yourself in the pursuit of your goals. With Ms. Nova Thomas, his voice teacher at Westminster Choir College, he learned that music performance was not the only path for him. She helped him discover the multiple opportunities within the music world that were available to him and his additional interests in administration. Through working with Dr. Miller, he found an interest in arts administration, and allowed that to open new doors for him for work opportunities.
When asked about his “grand plan” for career, he pointed out how unreliable such long term plans might be: “I take opportunities as they come along…these groups of experiences will lead me in the direction of something that I may love,”. Nothing in any aspect of music is totally concrete. if it hadn’t been for his work with Dr. Miller, Myles may have not been able to work with the American Boy Choir, as he is now. A constant flow of experience seems to be the best way to describe what someone should be looking for, not point X, Y, and Z, although they may be helpful temporarily. Myles did not have it in his 10 year plan to be a tour manager. If he had strictly looked to his already formed ideals, he may have missed out on the wonderful opportunity he now takes part in.
As tour manager, Myles deals with itinerary for the choir while traveling. In his first year, American Boy Choir traveled to South Korea, something he could have never expected. During the interview, he gave insight to how important these trips are for the boys who participate. They have the opportunity to experience the world rather than read about it in books. That in itself is a privilege that he sees take hold in the boys as they move from tour to tour. He also talked about moments that truly moved him: seeing the demarcation line in South Korea and talking with World War II veterans while in France for a D Day anniversary celebration.
Now, Myles is continuing as the tour manager, performing in musical theater cabarets in the little free time he has. Fortunately, he is able to pursue his passion because of his work in a performing arts job. He said that everyone is supportive of his work, which allowed him to realize that he can still do what he loves while working. Once again music called him back to it. And for the future? “I really like this balance right now. I would love to go to a big city and move up in the ranks of arts administration…while at the same time performing as well. To me its all about balance, and once that balance is set…my life is very happy.”
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