I read with interest your articles on the community music groups that have come and gone throughout the history of Brainerd.
That points up the state of present day community music in the Brainerd area. The Brainerd and surrounding area schools are examples of top-notch music education and have been for as long as I have been in this area. The community based music groups, Legacy Chorale, Heartland Symphony, Central Lakes College Community Band, Cuyuna Area Community Band, Wadena Area Community Band and now the newest addition to the group, The Staples Area Community Band, are testimonies to the fact that music is alive and well in central Minnesota.
I would like to recognize the Heartland Symphony board of directors, Chris Halvorson, Sarah Aamot and Jon Crust for their efforts and energies in organizing, promoting and conducting these wonderful community music groups. I would also like to recognize the musicians who so freely give of their time and talents to make these groups not only possible but of high quality. It is a great tradition we uphold as we see the photos from the 20s of the groups that came before us. It is an inspiration to us to keep going and to maintain the high quality of community music in the Brainerd lakes area.
Steven K. Anderson
Conductor, Central Lakes College Community Band and the Wadena Area Community Band
