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Music ensemble organizational meeting Jan. 20

By
Lori Sorenson

Have a gift of music that you'd like to share with the community?
Local musicians are encouraged to attend a Jan. 20 organizational meeting for what could become a Luverne Area Music Ensemble.
The group has a potential to form a community band or choir, small choruses or even pep band ensembles for local events and celebrations.
“We have all this musical talent in Luverne,” said Janine Papik, one of the organizers. “It would be fun to get everyone together and do this.”
Papik is vice president of the up-and-coming Luverne Street Music, a non-profit school that connects music professionals with students.
Luverne Street Music would host the community music ensemble in order to facilitate tax-deductible donations.
But Papik emphasized that the organization would depend on cooperation from the chamber, school and city officials with a goal of performing at various community functions as requested.
“It would involve having a place for rehearsal, use of existing instruments (for band), a budget for music and other supplies, as well as an honorarium for any directors,” Papik said. “The sky is the limit.”
That's why she said it's so important to gather input and ideas early in the planning stages, and she said she hopes interested musicians attend the meeting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Luverne Area Chamber.
She said membership is open to all experienced voice and instrumental (including piano and string instruments) musicians, regardless of age, who are able to read music and take direction. She said this would likely include anyone who has performed at the level of high school choir or band.
Practice and performance schedules will be developed in accordance with group interests. 
Already Papik said she's encountered requests for 2016 summer concerts and Christmas caroling and for the 2017 Luverne 150th celebration.
So far, Papik has been working with Luverne Street Music President LaDonna Iveland, Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere, Luverne High School band director Richard Owen, and retired high school band director Dale Nelson, Luverne, on initial brainstorming.
“The idea is that we'd have this core of musicians who can fit a performance to whatever occasion comes up,” Papik said.
For details, she can be reached at janinepapik@hotmail.com or 605 321-2055. Information is also available at the Chamber, luvernechamber@co.rock.mn.us or 507 283-4061.

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