Malaysian melodies
Stilwell resident travels to Asia for performance with country's orchestra
By JILL SEDERSTROM
The Kansas City Star

CHRIS OBERHOLTZ/The Kansas City Star Tom DeMasters, a local musician, recently returned from a trip to Malaysia where he performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. He played guitar and banjo with the orchestra for three songs.

It's not every day Tom DeMasters gets the opportunity to fly halfway around the world to play the James Bond theme song.

So when the opportunity came up, he jumped at the chance.

The local musician and owner of DeMasters Insurance recently returned from a trip to Malaysia where he took the stage with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.

DeMasters, a Stilwell resident, received the invitation from a college friend, Joe Pruessner, who plays with the orchestra and knew the group was looking for someone to play the guitar and banjo.

He invited DeMasters to Malaysia to rehearse with the orchestra and play at two performances March 27.

DeMasters has been playing the guitar since he was 10 years old, but the banjo was something new.

“I had to go out and buy a banjo because I didn't have one,” he said.

He caught on to the new instrument quickly and purchased a banjo that was tuned exactly like a guitar, which made the transition easier.

During the performances, DeMasters played three songs with the orchestra, “New York, New York,” “We're in the Money” and “The James Bond Theme.”

The show tunes were a change of pace from the jazz and blues he usually plays locally, but they were something he still enjoyed.

“It was great,” he said.

It was his first experience playing with an orchestra, and DeMasters was a little nervous before his first practice. He would be playing with conductor Carl Davis, who he had already heard about from Pruessner.

“He said he's an angry conductor, so I was a little scared,” DeMasters said. “But that wasn't the case at all. He was very pleasant.”

Although the conductor never spoke to DeMasters he did provide him some encouragement.

“The second rehearsal he smiled and nodded at me,” DeMasters said. “That's the recognition I got so I figured, ‘I'm doing OK.' ”

The difference between playing with a band and playing with an orchestra, DeMasters said, is that in an orchestra the conductor sets the tempo.

“You just really have to listen,” he said.

DeMasters said the orchestra was made up of musicians from all over the world and that he enjoyed talking with them and learning more about Malaysia.

During the trip, he stayed with Pruessner and his wife and used his free time to explore the country.

Lots of people drove motorcycles or scooters, and it wasn't uncommon to see a wild monkey up in a tree outside of the city, he said. He enjoyed learning about the culture and felt comfortable during his trip.

“I was accepted everywhere I went,” he said.

DeMasters said he was deeply affected by his experience in the country and was sad to leave.

“I hope this year to start working on a new CD and use that experience as my motivation,” he said.

To reach Jill Sederstrom,

Blue Valley Education reporter,

call (816) 234-7727 or e-mail

bluevalleyschools@kcstar.com