Music Performance

The CLC Music Department has a rich history of music performance entertaining audiences for more than 50 years. Currently, there are eight performing ensembles which provide a wide variety of music styles. These performing ensembles are comprised of musicians from Central Lakes College and members from surrounding greater Minnesota communities. Central Lakes College offers music classes to degree seeking students through five academic music programs.

Ensembles

Central Lakes Wind Symphony

This concert band is comprised of advanced, semi-professional musicians who have auditioned into the ensemble. The Wind Symphony focuses on enhancing each individual’s strengths in preparing and performing traditional and contemporary band literature with balance, blend, and intonation, fused with passion and intensity to create an overall musical experience unlike any other. This ensemble performs two concerts per season, hosts a band festival, and tours internationally every two years.

Raider Concert Winds

This band is an intermediate non-auditioned concert band focused on enhancing musical skills and building fluency and proficiency. This ensemble encompasses age levels from high school to adult, preparing and performing traditional and contemporary band literature with one concert per semester. Fun activities, a great variety of music, music theory, and ear training make up the experience. This ensemble tours internationally every two years.

Central Lakes Jazz Orchestra

This jazz band is comprised of intermediate to advanced, semi-professional musicians who have auditioned into the ensemble. The Jazz Orchestra focuses on enhancing each individual’s strengths by preparing and performing traditional and contemporary jazz literature with style, articulation, balance, blend, and intonation fused with passion and intensity. This ensemble performs two concerts per season, plus jazz gigs and fundraising galas, and tours internationally every two years.

Raider Jazz Collective

This band is an intermediate, non-auditioned jazz ensemble focused on enhancing musical skills and building fluency and proficiency. The ensemble encompasses age levels from high school to adult, focuses on jazz as a language, and performs one concert per semester, with other public performance opportunities throughout the year. Fun activities, a great variety of music, music theory, and ear training make up the experience. This ensemble tours internationally every two years.

Brass Ensemble

This ensemble encompasses age levels from high school to adult and musicianship levels from intermediate to expert. The group prepares traditional and contemporary brass choir literature and performs one concert per year, plus other public performances as opportunities arise.

Woodwind Ensemble

This ensemble encompasses age levels from high school to adult and musicianship levels from intermediate to expert. The group prepares traditional and contemporary woodwind ensemble literature and performs one concert per year, plus other public performances as opportunities arise.

Percussion Ensemble

This ensemble encompasses age levels from high school to adult and musicianship levels from intermediate to expert. The group prepares traditional and contemporary percussion ensemble literature and performs one concert per year, plus other public performances as opportunities arise.

CLC Choir

Central Lakes College Choir is open to all students, regardless of prior vocal experience—no audition required. This ensemble rehearses and performs various styles such as Classical, Jazz, American Pop, Multicultural, Spirituals, Folk Songs, Musical Theater, Rock-n-Roll, Chamber Music, Madrigals, and more. Our objectives are: achieving vocal excellence and choral blend; performing publicly one or more times per semester; participating in local and state-wide choral festivals and on-campus special events; and collaborating with other CLC clubs and organizations.

Cantare Concert Chorale

This is a mixed choral group that rehearses and performs diverse styles of music such as classical, jazz, multicultural, musical theater, and more. Our objectives are: achieving vocal excellence and choral blend; collaborative group participation; successful and inspiring concert performances; and developing a love for singing.

String Orchestra

This performing ensemble encompasses age levels from high school to adult and musicianship levels from intermediate to expert. The ensemble prepares traditional and contemporary string ensemble literature and performs one concert per year, plus other public performances as opportunities arise.

Raider Sports Band

This ensemble includes age levels from high school to adult and musicianship levels from intermediate to expert. The ensemble prepares traditional and contemporary pep band literature and performs at various Raider Athletics and Music Department events.

Check out our Accredited Music Programs

AFA Music Degree
Music Technology AFA
Jazz Studies Certificate
Music Performance Certificate
Music Technology Certificate

MMEA Music Program

Congratulations to the Central Lakes Wind Symphony for being selected to perform at the Minnesota Music Educator’s Association Convention! View Program Here (pdf)

Events and Auditions Calendar

November 2026

10nov7:00 pm9:00 pmMelodic Juxtaposition – CLC Fall Bands Concert

13nov7:00 pm9:00 pm6th Annual Lakes Band Festival

16nov7:00 pm8:15 pmFall Choirs Concert

19nov12:00 pm1:00 pmMusic Student Recital

December 2026

07dec7:00 pm9:00 pm5th Annual Gathering of Waters Band Festival

09dec7:00 pm8:45 pmHolly Jolly Concert

10dec7:00 pm9:00 pm6th Annual Jingle Mingle

February 2027

09feb7:00 pm9:00 pmPythagorean Evolution – Chamber Ensembles Concert

April 2027

23apr7:00 pm9:00 pm6th Annual Paul Bunyan Band Festival

May 2027

05may7:00 pm9:00 pmHermeneutic Inflection - Spring Bands & Choir Concert

11may7:00 pm9:00 pmCentral Lakes Jazz Orchestra and Wind Symphony Spring Concert – Iberian Dreams

June 2027

24jun(jun 24)4:00 pm04jul(jul 4)4:00 pmEngland and Iberian Coast Music Tour

Event Details

2027 CLC Music Department International Tour: England, Spain & Portugal!

Imagine exploring Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Bath, London, Lisbon, Bilbao, Vigo, and La Coruña while sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Freedom of the Seas on the adventure of a lifetime.

As an official Minnesota State Study Abroad Program, this unique experience allows you to earn international travel experience while exploring some of Europe’s most iconic destinations alongside fellow Central Lakes College students, alumni, and friends. Spend your days discovering ancient castles, world-famous landmarks, vibrant cultures, and breathtaking coastlines, then enjoy world-class entertainment, dining, and relaxation aboard one of the world’s premier cruise ships.

Best of all, participants are welcome to bring a Plus One (18+), making this an unforgettable opportunity to share the journey with a spouse, partner, family member, or friend. With transportation, cruise accommodations, onboard meals, gratuities, and guided sightseeing included, all that’s left to do is choose your cabin, secure your passport, and start planning your excursions.

Space will be limited, so sign up early and join Dr. J and the CLC Music Department for an extraordinary Minnesota State Study Abroad adventure across England, Spain, and Portugal in Summer 2027!

Sign-Up Form

Sign-ups begin this fall with payments conveniently split into four installments: September, November, January, and March.

Bring a friend. Explore Europe. Make memories that last a lifetime.

Time

June 24, 2027 4:00 pm - July 4, 2027 4:00 pm(GMT-05:00)

Location

Central Lakes College

Brainerd and Staples, MN

Other Events

Organizer

Dr. Jonathan Laflamme

Learn More

Calendar GoogleCal

July 2027

24jun(jun 24)4:00 pm04jul(jul 4)4:00 pmEngland and Iberian Coast Music Tour

Event Details

2027 CLC Music Department International Tour: England, Spain & Portugal!

Space will be limited, so sign up early and join Dr. J and the CLC Music Department for an extraordinary Minnesota State Study Abroad adventure across England, Spain, and Portugal in Summer 2027!

Sign-Up Form

Sign-ups begin this fall with payments conveniently split into four installments: September, November, January, and March.

Bring a friend. Explore Europe. Make memories that last a lifetime.

Time

June 24, 2027 4:00 pm - July 4, 2027 4:00 pm(GMT-05:00)

Location

Central Lakes College

Brainerd and Staples, MN

Other Events

Organizer

Dr. Jonathan Laflamme

Learn More

Calendar GoogleCal

Show more events

CLC Wind Symphony Samples

Alleluia! Laudamus Te

Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of the Witches) 2

Symphony No IV, Bookmarks from Japan – V. Evening Snow at Kambara ‘Light is the Touch’ 1

CLJO Medley Spring 2025

Django

Orange Colored Sky_1

Music Performance