2027 International Community Band
The Blue Lake International Exchange Program is dedicated to the promotion of international understanding, friendship, and goodwill through cultural exchange and the universal language of music. The Blue Lake International Community Band is a regular part of the Blue Lake International Exchange Program and travels to Europe on a 2-year cycle. Membership is available to:
- Blue Lake International Program Alumni
- Parents of Blue Lake International Program Alumni
- Blue Lake Lifelong Arts Summer Camp participants
- Blue Lake faculty and staff
- Others, by recommendation
The ensemble is comprised of talented and inspired lifelong musicians and performs a full range of traditional and contemporary wind band works. The group will total approximately 45 individuals, age 25 and up. Acceptance of members & support personnel is on a “first come, first served” basis with the approval of Music Director, Gail Brechting.
Repertoire
In 2027, the ensemble will perform selctions to included:
Flashing Winds – Jan Van der Roost | Dixieland Jam – Arr. Bob Lowden |
Hope – Robert W. Smith | Scarborough Fantasy – Christina Huss & R. Alan Carter |
Two Movements from Lincolnshire Posy – Percy Grainger Arr. Michael Sweeney: Horkstow Grange & The Lost Lady Found | Wolverine Summer – Randall Standridge |
Second Line – William Owens | The Incredibles (Main Theme) – Michael Giacchino Arr. Paul Murtha |
The Redwoods – Rossano Galante | Blue Lake Forever March – Daniel Kovats |
Hello Sunshine March– Yoshio Matsuo | Paintings – William Owens |
Golden Friendships March – Robert E. Foster | Stars & Stripes Forever – John Philip Sousa |
The Community Band will visit three host communities (with host families) in 2–3 European countries, with several group excursions and two hotel stays throughout the trip. Tentative countries for the 2027 community band include Germany and France, but the tour may adjust depending on invitations and opportunities. The group will stay in Paris for two nights before returning home. The final detailed tour itinerary will not be available until spring of 2027.
Commitment
Sunday, November 15, 2026 (7:00pm) Zoom Orientation
Sunday, April 25, 2027 (7:00pm) Zoom Orientation
Friday, May 14 – Sunday, May 16, 2027 Intensive Rehearsal Weekend
and Tour Prep at Blue Lake
Thursday, June 17, 2027* Depart from Chicago or Detroit
Saturday, July 3, 2027 * Return from Europe
Wednesday, August 11, 2027 (7:30pm) Homecoming reunion & concert
at Blue Lake (Miller Theater)
*Flight dates are tentative and may vary by a day depending on availability and other factors
Instrumentation
3 Flutes, 1 Oboe, 1 Bassoon, 6 Clarinets, 1 Bass Clarinet, 4 Saxophones
6 Trumpets, 4 Horns, 4 Trombones, 2 Euphoniums, 2 Tubas
3 Percussion
Membership
Completed application, endorsement of goals, ideals, and policies of the Blue Lake International Exchange Program, and conductor approval. New-to-Blue Lake participants will also be asked to provide references. All prospective members will participate in a Zoom connection with Gail Brechting, Director of Lifelong Arts, prior to enrolling.
Fee
The 2025 fees were $4,690 (hotel double occupancy); or $4,990 (hotel single occupancy, when available). Fees for 2027 will run a small percentage higher due to variables in airfare, lodging, and land travel costs. The fee includes rehearsal instruction and accommodations, air fare, land travel (coach), several hotel stays, and incidentals relating to group excursions. Participants are responsible for International uniform items, fees associated with passport application, and any personal incidentals (meals, souvenirs, etc). An optional coach from Blue Lake to the airport will be available for a small fee.
Director
Gail Brechting
Director
Gail Brechting is in her thirtieth year as the conductor of the award-winning West Michigan Concert WINDS. Under her direction, the WINDS received the John Phillip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Silver Scroll Award, America’s most prestigious community concert band award. She has organized five international tours with the WINDS, most recently to Scotland and Ireland. She has had the privilege of conducting the WINDS in Chicago’s Symphony Hall, as well as the historic Carnegie Hall in New York City. Before becoming conductor, Mrs. Brechting was principal trombone with the WINDS and performed with many area music ensembles including the Traverse City Symphony, the Lansing Concert Band, The Lake Effect Brass, and the West Shore Symphony. She has just returned from the 2025 European Tour as conductor of the Lifelong Arts International Community Band with Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.
From 1996-1999 Mrs. Brechting represented MSBOA as the State Representative for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. For over forty years, she has been an active district and state level adjudicator for low brass, band and orchestras as well as teaching private trombone and tuba lessons to students of all ages.
Mrs. Brechting is the 2019 & 2022 recipient of the Harry Begian Conductor Scholar Award, through Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She has been the guest conductor with the Acadia Winds in Louisiana, Hot Springs Community Band in Arkansas, was the featured conductor with the Louisiana MS Honors Band. She has also had the honor to be a guest clinician and conductor with the Winter Park High School in Florida, the 2024 All-New England Band Festival, New Hampshire, and the 2024 Three Rivers Honor Band of Purdue University Ft. Wayne.
Mrs. Brechting is the Past President of the Association of Concert Bands, an international organization serving adult community bands, serving two previous terms on their board of directors. She is the Lifelong Arts Program Director with Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, serving since 2019. She is an Associate member of the American Bandmasters Association, a member of the National Band Association, an Emeritus member of Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, P.E.O. and the Women Band Directors International. She was the first woman selected by the John Philip Sousa Foundation to serve on the Sudler Silver Scroll Award selection committee, and is presently the chairwoman. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts degree from Western Michigan University. Mrs. Brechting is a past music faculty member of Muskegon Community College. She retired in 2019, after a 40-year public school music education career, 34 of those with the Reeths-Puffer Schools in Muskegon, MI. In her spare time, she trains to compete as a US Masters swimmer, loves to play golf and travel.
Mrs. Brechting lives in Spring Lake with her engineer/pianist husband Frank. Their daughter Annelise, is a Physician Assistant in Greenville, SC.
