Major General Larry Shellito is the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard - at least until Halloween, when he plans to retire from a long career in the armed services.
Music has played an important role in his life from the time as a little boy when he attended "Fantasia" and never forgot that early enchantment with Mickey and the dancing brooms accompanied by Paul Dukas' "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."
Later, he took up percussion and found he was forever drawn to music with a good beat. While serving in Vietnam, Shellito listened to an all-classical radio station each night while writing reports. He found the nature of the beat encouraged him to write in time, almost as a conductor leads an orchestra.
For solace and comfort, he loves the conjuring up of memories from good times drinking wine and dancing on a Danube Cruise by listening to any waltz by Johann Strauss.
Although he does say if stranded on a desert island, he would need his entire collection of the great works of classical music on a 10-CD set (and with good speakers!)
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