CLSO seeking vocalists for Beethoven's 9th Symphony

ALEXANDRIA — The Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra is inviting community members to join the orchestra in the CLSO Chorale in this unique, once-per-year opportunity. All singers able to read music are invited to join this collaboration to perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

Registration is available at the Alexandria Community Education website or by calling 320-761-3310.

The performance will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, at the Alexandria Area High School Performing Arts Center.

Nicole Lambrecht will serve as the CLSO chorale rehearsal director for the performance.

Lambrecht is an assistant professor of music at Bethel University, where she conducts Lucia Chorum and teaches private voice. She’s the current artistic director and conductor of Minnesota Center Chorale in St. Cloud.

Locally, Lambrecht serves as a worship leader at First Lutheran Church, and the choir director at St. Luke’s Church, both in the Alexandria area. As a trained coloratura soprano, Lambrecht has performed as a soloist with numerous chorales and symphony orchestras.

Lambrecht is currently pursuing her doctorate of music education from Liberty University’s School of Music.

"All music speaks to our daily lives; the tensions and resolutions, the recurring themes, developments and episodes, and the ephemeral nature of musical experiences all serve as corollary to the life journey through which each of us have traveled. Music can transcend all the dissonance in our world and form a connection beyond ourselves as individuals. My goal is to help connect people and create lifelong singers out of everyone I teach or direct. I'm thrilled to be able to do this in my own community by empowering singers and creating incredible music together. I encourage anyone who's ever sung with a choir — even if it was 30 years ago — to consider joining our chorale," Lambrecht said in a press release.

CLSO Artistic and Music Director Brad Lambrecht will direct the concert. Lambrecht is a member of the music department faculty at Alexandria Area High School and the founder and conductor of the CLSO.

The orchestra-chorale collaboration performance is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or in advance at Cherry Street Books via cash or check.