International jazz artist to instruct Lake City students

Recent stops on New York-based jazz flutist Anne Drummond’s tour schedule include Munich, Berlin and Ho Chi Minh City. Now, the artist will be able to add Lake City Public Schools to that list.

Drummond will spend Thursday and Friday at Lincoln High School, instructing and performing for seventh- through 12th-graders.

“Anne is a master of the flute,” Lake City band instructor Paul Holland said.

Drummond’s performance venues include the Vienna Opera House, Disney Hall and the Kennedy Center. She also has toured with jazz greats Kenny Barron and Stefon Harris. Her 2009 debut album “Like Water” was heavily played on National Public Radio.

“I’m looking for all of our flute students to spend time with Anne,” Holland said.

But it’s not just flutists that will have the opportunity to learn from Drummond. She will be practicing with and instructing many of Holland’s students, including ensembles, soloists and other music students.

“It’s motivational to hear somebody else perform at a high level. There’s no doubt about that,” Holland said.

Holland wrote a grant to the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council to bring Drummond to the school. Additional funding comes from Lake City Music Boosters and the Lake City Education Foundation.

In addition to instruction, Drummond will take the spotlight Saturday night with Lake City’s three jazz ensembles.

“We look forward for the kids to perform on stage with someone of a higher caliber,” Holland said.

Holland hopes that having Drummond visit Lake City schools will not only improve his students’ music skills. He’s also looking for it to inspire them.

“I personally believe education thrives on new experiences. It just builds on a higher level. Interest levels spike,” he said.

“I look back to high school and never had this stuff. It’s neat.”

If you go…

Anne Drummond will perform for the community at the end of her stay in Lake City.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Lincoln High School Auditorium, Lake City

Cost: Free

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