In Focus: CLC Holds Auditions for Open Music Ensemble Slots | Lakeland News

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Video summary

Central Lakes College's Brainerd campus has opened auditions for nine distinct performance ensembles, inviting musicians of all skill levels from beginners to advanced collegiate artists to apply. Held over the weekend, these open slots cover a wide range of genres and instruments, including jazz, choir, and wind symphony. The college aims to expand both the quality and size of its music programs while maintaining a student-first philosophy that emphasizes the unique artistic expression of the individual rather than just the performance itself. This initiative allows students, community members, and advanced high school musicians to collaborate with experienced local artists, fostering an environment where new experiences and creative growth are encouraged. The audition process is designed not only to select talented performers but also to build character and musical resilience. Staff members highlight that they are looking for competency in rhythm, counting, tone, and confidence, noting that the nervousness of auditioning can actually help students perform better on stage. One student shared their enthusiasm for joining the jazz orchestra after twelve years of piano playing, appreciating the opportunity to bounce ideas off peers and play hits together. The college believes that facing this challenge makes a musician stronger, as every artist brings an original voice to the ensemble, much like no two thumbprints are alike, ensuring that each performance remains unique and authentic. Selected members of these ensembles will have the exciting opportunity to participate in CLC's international cultural tour next summer, visiting England, Spain, and Portugal. This global experience represents a significant milestone for the students, allowing them to showcase their talents on an international stage while continuing their musical education. The program underscores the belief that college is the ideal time to try something new and develop personally through the arts. By integrating diverse voices and instruments, the college continues to grow its musical excellence while providing a supportive community for those passionate about music. The segment was reported by Xavier Curry for Lakeland News' weekly "In Focus" series, which is supported in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and Lunds Village Foods. As a non-profit news organization, Lakeland PBS encourages viewers to donate to support their local news team and continue bringing important community stories to light. Through these efforts, the college and its partners are working to ensure that music remains a vibrant and accessible part of student life, offering pathways for artistic development and cultural exchange both locally and abroad.

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Well, Central Lakes College is Brainerd campus is offering nine performance ensembles providing opportunities for all musicians from beginning performers to advanced collegiate artists. Auditions were held at the campus this past weekend and reporter Xavier Curry was in attendance and has more for this week's in focus. >> Whether your passion for music is jazz, choir, or wind symphony, CLC is looking for all types of musicians verse and all types of instruments for their open ensemble slots. >> Our goal is to continue to grow in both excellence and numbers. I feel like college is the time in someone's life to be able to try something new. We pride ourselves on being a student-first philosophy [music] program. We believe that the art comes from the person, not that the art is there by itself. >> CLC's jazz orchestra and Central Lakes wind symphony allows students, community members, and advanced high school musicians the opportunity to perform with high-level experienced artists in the area. >> I love making music. I've been playing for 12 years on piano. I have been a part of the wind symphony before, but I wanted to try out jazz orchestra. The way you can work with the other musicians, um bounce ideas off of each other, play hits together, it's just so fun to do. Auditions are great for anyone trying to get into music cuz it gives you that sense of nervousness that's good to perform better. >> CLC's staff members believe auditioning can benefit students in their musical journey. >> We are looking for competency, rhythm, counting, tone, um confidence. You got to have some kind of motivating factor. Auditions at this capacity, nobody wants to do it, but it's good for you to do it because that's a part of the process that makes you a stronger individual and in this case stronger musician as well. >> Laflamme says that no one artist or performance is the same and that it's all about originality. >> [music] >> One thing I teach in my intro to music ed course is that you know, just look at a thumb print, right? No one's ever had it before. Everybody's is different. No one will have it ever again. And so when people ask me, you must be really bored of hearing this trumpet and charade because you've been teaching trumpet for 25 years or or hearing this scale and I would say I've really only heard it twice. I've heard me play it and then each individual student. >> Reporting in Brainerd for this week's in focus, Xavier Curry, Lakeland News. >> [singing] >> Every member selected to the ensembles will be able to participate in CLC's international cultural tour to England, Spain and Portugal next summer. >> This in focus segment of Lakeland News was brought to you in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and employee-owned Lunds Village Foods featuring a large selection of seafood and a wide variety of fresh meats. More info at lunds.com. Lakeland News is a non-profit news organization. Donate to Lakeland PBS today to support your local news team.