By Dalton Johnson, Staff Writer
As a person drives up to the main entrance of Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, the first thing people are likely to notice is the brand new performing arts center. This emphasizes that music is taken very seriously at Iowa Lakes. For a college the size of Iowa Lakes, the music department has an amazing number of ensembles students can join, as well as offer scholarships to students involved in music. Although music is a big deal at Iowa Lakes, one aspect of the department can easily be overlooked. That aspect is the music education transfer program for students. This program is designed for students who want to go on to a four year college and study music. A number of students who have gone through the program have expressed that the program has helped them succeed. Joe Sexe is one of those students.
Sexe studies music education at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. He says that the reason he chose to study at Iowa Lakes for his two years was because it was close to home and he already knew the vocal music instructor, Brett Fuelberth, and the instrumental music instructor, Carol Ayres.
“It was right in my home town and I kind of knew Brett and Carol,” Sexe said.
Sexe said that one of the aspects he loved the most about the music program was the comradery among the fellow music students.
“Everyone in the music program knows each other,” he said.
Sexe adds that Fuelberth and Ayres also made music and ensembles fun.
“Carol and Brett made it awesome,” said Sexe.
Sexe says that what has helped him the most from his time at Iowa Lakes, was the different music ensembles that he played in.
“It gave me great experience, and helped me learn a lot,” he said.
Jada Duis, a current student at Simpson College in Indianola, IA, is another graduate of the music program at Iowa Lakes. Duis said her reason for choosing Iowa Lakes was for the education a community college could offer while also pursuing her love of music.
“I wanted a community college education but (I) was not willing to give up music,” she said.
While at Iowa Lakes, Duis was given many opportunities to express her love of music through the variety of ensembles the college offered. Duis however says the best part was gaining friends through her participation in the different ensembles.
“I was able to make so many connections with so many great people,” said Duis.
The Iowa Lakes music program helped Duis prepare for a 4 year college.
“I now have all of the tools I need for success; (I know) different ways to study, (I know) how to manage my time, and how to make connections,” said the Simpson College student.
The music program at Iowa Lakes is unique in that students, who want to study music, can complete their first two years of their degree right here at Iowa Lakes. This is a transfer program that few community colleges the size of Iowa Lakes can offer. Music students can be rest assured that their time at Iowa Lakes will help prepare them for the future.
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