Musical association springs up in Lake

2 ensembles created to give local musicians a chance to perform, develop skills

A new musical arts association is springing up in Lake County.

The Snowbelt Musical Arts Association, a nonprofit organization, has a mission to enrich, educate and entertain the community through music, Greg Hillis, executive director and founder of the association said.

“We are creating ensembles to provide local musicians opportunities to continue developing their musical skills and to provide affordable concerts for local audiences,” he said.

The idea to form the association was something Hillis had been thinking about for a while. He said that he felt it was something the community needed. Although the community has the Lakeland Civic Band, Hillis knew of many other musicians who wanted to be part of a group.

He sent out surveys in late November regarding assembling a group of local musicians and received more than 150 responses.

The Snowbelt Musical Arts Association will have two ensembles: The Lake Effect Concert Band, which consists of anyone from the community who can play music at a high school level or beyond, and the Blizzard Youths Winds, for musicians in grades seventh through 12.

No auditions are required to join either ensemble, All that is needed is an interest in performing and some musical knowledge.

Currently, according to Hillis, the Lake Effect Concert Band has about 100 members, 75 of whom have committed to performing at the band’s first concert, titled “Strike Up the Band.” The event will feature the George Gershwin song of the same title as its opening number.

Scheduled for 7:30 p.m. May 26, the concert will take place at which takes place at Hope United Methodist Church, 9870 Johnnycake Ridge Road in Concord Township.

Featured music will include “Gypsy Dance” from the opera “Carmen,” “Going Somewhere” from “West Side Story,” and “Bare Necessities” from Disney’s “The Jungle Book.” The band will have other performances with different music

throughout the summer.

The Blizzard Youths Winds currently has about 14 members, according to Hillis, and he is hoping to add another 45 members before the enrollment deadline of May 1.

The youth ensemble will perform once later this summer.

“We passionately believe that music is a lifelong learning activity and operate musical ensembles to allow area musicians to expand and develop their skills, express themselves, and share their love of music with the community,” Hillis said on the association website www.snowbeltmusical.org.

For more information on performances or how to become a member of either ensemble, contact Greg Hillis at 440-2969610 or by email at snowbeltmusical@gmail.com