Lentz pursues her dream to play flute

When Brainerd High School senior Jacquelynn Lentz tried to play the flute when she was in sixth grade she could not get a sound.

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But she wanted to play the flute and did not give up her dream. Today Lentz is the flute section leader in the high school's Symphonic Band, is a member of the 2003-04 Minnesota All-State Band, received superior ratings at the solo and ensemble contest and was named Fine Arts Student of the Week.

Lentz said the band director wanted her to play the trumpet when she was trying out the instruments six years ago.

"I tried to be a good sport and tried them all," she said. "But I always wanted to play the flute because I thought it was pretty and I liked how it sounded."

It took Lentz a week to get a sound out of her flute. She continued to play the flute, but did not get serious about it until the end of her sophomore year. Now she practices more, is in independent music and joined the BHS Chamber Orchestra.

Lentz is the only flutist in the orchestra. Playing in orchestra is a lot different than Symphonic Band. Lentz said the music and atmosphere are different and she has to play a lot louder in orchestra.

The senior enjoys playing the flute because she likes the melody the flute section plays. Lentz said her strongest skill is she plays loudly. She said she needs to work on staying in tune and she needs to improve her counting. She said she has the tendency to come in before or after the other flutists.

When she was in ninth grade she had to choose between band or choir because she could not fit both programs in her schedule.

JACQUELYNN LENTZ

Art focus: Symphonic Band

Art activities: Symphonic Band, Marching Band, orchestra and independent music

Year: Senior

Age: 18

GPA: 3.97

Favorite subjects: Advanced placement music theory

Most memorable fine arts achievement: Being named to the 2003-04 Minnesota All-State Band

Artist most admired: Nadia Malek

Favorite movie: "Land Before Time"

Favorite TV program: None

Favorite song: "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison

Parents: Sheldon and Karen Lentz of Pillager

"I picked band because I was not a good singer," she said.

Lentz also plays the piano. She took lessons for six years and stopped in eighth grade. This year she started taking lessons again. She said it is good for her to know how to play the piano since she plans to major in music.

She plans to attend Lawrence University, Luther College or St. Olaf College. Lentz would like to teach music, but her dream is to play with a professional ensemble.

This year, Lentz has her hands full. Symphonic Band currently is working on its Christmas concert that will include "Russian Christmas Music" and "Salvation is Created."

She also is working on five solos and two concertos. The solos are for her college auditions and for the solo and ensemble concert. The concertos are for orchestra. A few of the songs she is working on are "Ballade," "The Swiss Sheperd" and "Fantasie."

"I get really nervous when I perform," Lentz said. "My hands just shake, but I am getting better."

Honorable mentions:

Matt Radniecki, senior, Fifth Street Journal: Radniecki is the school newspaper's business manager. The Fifth Street Journal adviser said Radniecki does a good job as the business manager, works hard to bill advertisers and keeps track of the finances.

Kelli Jensen, senior, Brainonian: The Brainonian adviser said, "Kelli is a one of a kind. She is the business manager and is the most organized and thorough student I've ever had the pleasure of teaching. To top it off, she has a great attitude. Kelli has already sold several ads for the yearbook."

Kellen Riley, junior, Debate: Riley placed third at the Brainerd Elks Invitational Debate Tournament. The debate coach said, "He has been working very hard this year and should have a very successful debate season. Kellen also made super congress at the fall Student Congress."

Jenni Badeaux, senior, a cappella choir: Badeaux is a two-year member of the a cappella choir and is the secretary/treasurer. She also is a two-year member of Windfall and Smith Sisters. She received superior ratings at the Region 8AA solo and ensemble contest.