Katie Rice of Jefferson, a graduate student at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, will hav opportunity to travel and perform as principal clarinetist and staff member with the International Youth Symphony Orchestra (IYSO) sponsored by the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, MI.
The IYSO is one of six international touring ensembles formed by the Blue Lake International Exchange Program. This program is an opportunity for talented middle school and high school students to experience the life of a touring ensemble, as well as gain new cultural insights during their stay with host families at each stop on tour.
The group will visit seven different cities in Germany from June 22 – July 16. They will stop in Ahrensburg, Friedrichshafen, Augsburg, Itzehoe, Magdeburg, Aschersleben, and Stassfurt. Additionally the group will perform two concerts in Ann Arbor, MI, on July 28-29, and will end its tour with a final performance at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp on July 31.
The IYSO has 92 members and consists mostly of middle school and high school musicians as well as a few hired staff members, like Rice. These staff members serve the dual purpose of counselor and performer.
Rice will serve as orchestra librarian, mentor, section leader, and counselor for the youngsters traveling with the group. She will also perform as the principal clarinetist in the orchestra and help co-lead woodwind sectionals alongside other staff members.
Rice served as a camp counselor at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in 2013.
She is a 2010 graduate of Jefferson-Scranton High School, 2014 graduate of Wartburg College, and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in music performance at UNL. She is the daughter of Kelly and Becky Rice of rural Jefferson.
