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Music with Minnesotans

Music with Minnesotans: William Roos

Music with Minnesotans: William Roos
William Roos
The record Bill Roos is holding is "Switched-on Bach." His wry smile is a give-away for how much he enjoys the Moog Synthesizer even if some purists detested it. What would Bach say?
Photo courtesy Bill Roos

William Roos (pronounced ROSE) is an income tax resource specialist. That just means he answers those burning needing-research questions for tax preparers and CPA's.

So how does music fit into his life?

Well, not at all!

Actually, Bill says that just because a Strauss waltz and a tax return don't go together, that doesn't mean he's without music every other moment of his day, whether listening to Classical MPR or a stack of CD's in the den or car — and nearly always alone since his wife is not into classical at all, but more rock and country.

In fact, he tells a story of just after they were married, when she was keen to use the new hi-fi Bill had bought to play her music. No, he told her, this is for classical music only. And after that, she was happy to tell him he'd be doing his own dishes, laundry and cooking!

It appears the hi-fi was shared at home from then on.

But in the car — especially the time when Bill lived in Montana and drove long stretches of empty highway — classical music filled the air.

He has a special affinity for brass instruments and we listened to a few soloists, plus an unusual piano concerto with string accompaniment and one lone virtuoso trumpet.

Alison Young signs her CD
Alison Young signs her CD
William Roos

Bill didn't add me to the playlist, but he did bring in one of my concerto CD's to sign. That was a real blast from the past!

The session ended with Strauss. Bill wrote me about a year ago after I said something on-air about dancing in a sundress to Strauss and he was sure I needed to change that outfit to a long hooped skirt.

He was right about that. No one can really move to the Waltz King limited by a measly sun dress!


Bill Roos's playlist:


Rep. Betty McCollum
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, DFL-Minn., represents the 4th Congressional District.
Photo courtesy of Rep. McCollum's office

Summer vacation for Music with Minnesotans begins today! We'll return in September with US Representative Betty McCollum who tells me she has a thing for Ferde Grofe's "Grand Canyon Suite."

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