Education

As northern Michigan’s champion of live orchestral music, it is our mission to entertain, to inspire and to educate. We are a group of talented professional musicians who understand our role in teaching students of all ages, and bringing music instruction to area schools and music programs to foster a love for music and musical performance. We are inspiring the next generation of musicians! More information about any of these programs can be obtained by calling the GLCO office at 231.487.0010.

 

THE 2022 CHARLES F. DAVIS YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION

This competition is available to students of piano, winds, brass, percussion, strings and voice between the ages of fourteen and nineteen. Registration is required.

2022 Young Artist Competition Info Sheet

2022 Young Artist Competition Application Form

 

LITTLE WAVES LIBRARY SERIES

Open to the public, and free of charge, this program is designed to introduce young children to music in an entertaining setting. This family friendly music series is aimed at encouraging children’s involvement and interest in music.

 

 

DAY FOR MUSIC

This program offers a day of instruction with Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra (GLCO) musicians and more! Special seminars/workshops are conducted and the day culminates with a concert featuring all musician levels performing with GLCO musicians. Pre-registration is required. Public is welcome.

 

SCHOOL OUTREACH

GLCO musicians present music assemblies in many area schools, working with specific teachers to expose students to various instruments, composers and styles of music, often expanding on what has been taught in the classroom. New developments underway for 2020-21 season!

Click here for Classical Kids Program Information

Click here for Photo Movie

 

If you would like more information about any of these programs, or want to learn how you can volunteer or support our Educational Programs, please call us at 231.487.0010.

Eric Lawson

Assistant Concertmaster

Violinist, violist, conductor and professor Dr. Eric Lawson has had a varied career in performance and education. Past performances as a conductor, soloist and lecturer have taken him to Austria, Brazil, China, Germany, Romania and Scandinavia. Before returning to his home state of Michigan, he was based in North Dakota where, in addition to serving as a violin instructor at Bismarck State College, Jamestown College, and the University of Mary, he was also concertmaster of the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra and established the Bismarck-Mandan Youth Symphony. Other former academic appointments have included Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Central College in Pella, Iowa and the University of North Dakota where he founded the string program and the UND Chamber Orchestra.

Here in Michigan, Dr. Lawson as been very active with the Alpena Symphony Orchestra as its concertmaster, conductor and president of the board. He also performs with many other orchestras in Northern Michigan and participates in the Traverse Symphony as a first violinist, in the Gaylord Symphony as concertmaster and as assistant concertmaster in the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra.

And finally, in what has been one of the most important experiences of his life outside of music, he also served almost four years as an Alpena County Commissioner, representing Ossineke and Sanborn Townships. In addition to serving as chair of the Salary and Personnel Committee, he also served on the Airport, Ambulance, District Court, Circuit Court Management and Jail Committees. He also represented Alpena County in Gaylord with the Northern Michigan Regional Entity Substance Use Disorder Board and continues to serve on the Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Board. Dr. Lawson resides in Ossineke with his wife and two children.