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PUBLISHED: Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Introducing chamber music to county



IMLAY CITY -- It has been Kim Teal's dream to spread classical chamber music to Lapeer County masses.

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Now, that's being done through the six-member Imlay City Area Chamber Society who invite the public to a free concert this Saturday in Almont.

"This has been a dream of mine to start playing chamber music," said Teal, flute musician and manager for the group. "We will do jazz in a classical music style. "Brian McCloskey, the Almont High School Band director, will do an unaccompanied solo. I will play three movements with Amy Cronin on different types of flutes."

Teal has been playing and promoting music since the fourth-grade and professionally for 34 years. She gained much of her knowledge from learning from legendary John Cummins, former music instructor at Imlay City High School.

"Music keeps you young," she said and added she also plays for the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, and composes and arranges music. She also plays for other symphony orchestras around the state and teaches music in the Imlay City area.

"I love what I do and believe it's important," Teal said.

A major labor of Teal's love has been working with the Ruth Hughes Memorial Library in Imlay City on the "Toot and Tell" program that presents music and reading to children.

"Music helps kids remember stories more," she said. "Music is God's creation. It affects us emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It helps. Kids who study music score higher on test scores. I think it's important to give back to the community. I find music teaches character building."

The Imlay City-Area Chamber Music Society will present a free concert, "Flutes and Horns and a Clarinet, Oh My" at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Almont High School auditorium. Special guest will be the Blue Water Low Brass Ensemble that includes Imlay City native Dan Dodge.

Featured at the concert from the Imlay City-Area Chamber Music Society will be Amy Cronin on C-flute, Christine Dodge on C- and alto flutes, Teal on piccolo, and C- and alto flutes, Julie Upleger on C-flute; Brian McCloskey on F-horn, Nancy Scrafano on F-horn, and Don Davenport on clarinet.

Teal said the group is looking for others with a musical interest and talent. "We're looking for more brass and string people," she said. "We'd also like to play around the area. Each member has to provide their own instrument. If people would like to join or have a pre-existing ensemble, we'd like to do a concert in the fall. We'd like to look for a mix to provide classical music and fun."

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.





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