Our Mission
The Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra is an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of the lakes region by sharing quality orchestral music to educate, entertain, and prompt a wider vision of the world and its people.
History
The Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra became a reality in 2009 under the direction of Brad Lambrecht, Alexandria Area High School Orchestra Director, Alexandria MN. A non-profit organization was formed with a Board of Directors including Joelle Burreson (Chair), Karen Erickson, Trish Jensen, Larry Ortloff, Deb Thompson, Erik Vigesaa, and a student member.
Rehearsals began in October 2009 with more than fifty members from the Alexandria area including the communities of Brandon, Carlos, Fergus Falls, Garfield, Glenwood, Miltona, Nelson, Osakis, Villard, and Vining.
Orchestra rehearsals are held in the Alexandria Area High School Orchestra Room from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday evenings under the direction of Brad Lambrecht. Membership is open to musicians age sixteen and older and auditions may be arranged through the Director or Board Members.
Music Director
Brad Lambrecht joined the music faculty at Alexandria School District #206 in the fall of 2007. He currently serves as Director of Orchestras for the Alexandria Area High School as well as Director for the Fargo Youth Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Lambrecht is the founder and conductor of the Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra. Through the Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Lambrecht has collaborated with the Minnesota Opera, Twin Cities Ballet, Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience, and many other regionally/nationally renowned musicians. Some of these collaborative highlights would be Mozart’s “Die Zauberflote,” Bizet’s “Carmen,” Copland’s “Rodeo,” Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” and Clausen’s “Memorial.” During his tenure with the CLSO, Mr. Lambrecht has also commissioned five works to be written by Midwest composers. These compositions were based on the Alexandria Lakes Area and proudly premiered there.
Prior to his appointments in Alexandria, Mr. Lambrecht was a 2005 Music Education graduate from Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota. While attending VCSU he was awarded winner of the North Dakota Young Artists competition two years in a row. After graduation Mr. Lambrecht became the band, choir, and strings teacher for Central Cass High School in Casselton, North Dakota.
Mr. Lambrecht has enjoyed the tutelage of notable conductors such as Dr. Mallory Thompson, Professor H. Bob Reynolds, Dr. Warren Olfert, Dr. Sigurd Johnson, and Dr. Leesa Levy. In 2012 Mr. Lambrecht was recognized as Minnesota Public Radio’s Music Teacher Feature. Mr. Lambrecht completed his Master’s Degree in Music Education specializing in Orchestral Conducting from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado under the direction of Maestro Wes Kenney. Since then Mr. Lambrecht has been a regular guest conductor for many youth honors orchestras such as the North Dakota String Honors Orchestra and twice the Minnesota Mid-Level Honors Orchestra.
