“I had a great aunt years ago who had a saying…people ask me how I’m doing and I say ‘I’m still kicking but I’m not raising much dust.’” Berge Johnson, of Spicer, plays a violin, one of the many instruments he plays on a regular basis. Johnson has been playing and teaching music since he was about 5. Photo by Bev Ahlquist Berge Johnson, of rural Spicer, said he feels kind of the same way. He recently celebrated his 80th birthday, and that’s not his only accomplishment. He’s a

Alexandria teacher started assembling community orchestra 10 years ago Ten years ago Brad Lambrecht had a “pipe dream” about starting a community orchestra that could offer symphonic music for all to enjoy, right in the middle of Minnesota in the west-central city of Alexandria. With the start of the Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra’s 10th season, 2018-19, the dream is brilliantly resounding. It may have been a pipe dream to make this area the “Cultural Hub of Central Minneso

The Crow River Area Youth Orchestra is seeking area musicians for its fall semester. The “Varsity Strings” ensemble is for string students and adults who feel comfortable reading at a late beginning to early intermediate level—Suzuki Books 1-3. Instrumentation desired include violins, violas, cellos and string bass. This group is directed by Rhonda Johnson. New this year are group lesson classes for ages 7-adult, called “Introduction to Strings”. Students will learn the basic