NSU freshman trumpeter hired for prestigious summer employment

Jared Wallis' love of music will take him far away from Northeastern State University this summer. The freshman music major from Talala was recently selected to serve on the staff for the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Mich.

The Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is a summer school and festival on a 1,300-acre campus in Michigans Manistee National Forest. Each year more than 5,300 elementary, junior high and high school students attend Blue Lake to study and enjoy more than 175 performances during its Summer Arts Festival.

"When I received the job offer, I was blown away," Wallis said. "I applied because Dr. Jason Dovel mentioned it during a lesson. He told me that it was a really good place for a music major to get experience in a professional musical environment."

As a staff member Jared will play trumpet in staff ensembles, study with camp faculty and supervise and instruct secondary school students from June through August.

"Jared will be eligible to audition for performing positions in outstanding ensembles including Blue Lake's festival band, festival orchestra, staff symphonic band and jazz ensembles," said Dovel, assistant professor of trumpet. "These groups rehearse daily and perform regularly scheduled concerts in Blue Lake's Summer Arts Festival. Some staff members also participate in faculty-coached ensembles, such as string quartets, brass quintets and other chamber groups. He will also be eligible to compete in the staff solo competition."

Jared submitted an audition CD of solo trumpet performances and an application to Blue Lake during the staff selection process.

"As a result of his excellent background and materials, he was given a phone interview and offered a position," Dovel said. "The applicant pool is open to undergraduate and graduate students from around the country. They only hire 8-10 trumpet players from that pool, so it is a very prestigious honor for Jared to represent NSU in this capacity."

Wallis said he hoped to meet other students at Blue Lake and learn why they chose music as a career.

"I also really look forward gaining more experience as a musician," he said. "I play trumpet because I love music and to have this opportunity this early in my college career is extremely exciting."

Jared is a member of NSU's Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble, Baroque Trumpet Ensemble and also plays in a student brass quintet. He is a former Oklahoma All-State Band member and is a member of NSUs Honors Program.