Lance LaDuke • 1967-2023

There are no orange construction barrels, but you can see that we have a different “look” as the Falcone Festival website undergoes a complete upgrade. The site is now responsive and you should still be able to find what you are looking for under the menu items, which have not been changed. We are working to make sure everything is still operating properly, with some design changes, and ultimately some upgraded functionality coming, but we may be unavailable off and on until roughly mid-January. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have an urgent question, email Jane Goodrich or send a question to the falcone.festival on Facebook.

Fritz Stansell

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Fritz Stansell, founder and president emeritus of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Fritz Stansell was also one of the original founders of the Falcone Festival and had an incredible impact on the music world. Our most sincere condolences to the Stansell family and BLFAC community during these difficult times.

Blue Lake’s founder and president emeritus, Fritz Stansell, has passed away at the age of 92. He leaves a legacy that will forever inspire our mission and vision. Thank you, Mr. Stansell. Ars longa, vita brevis. You can read his obituary here.

Remembering a Good Friend: Lance LaDuke

Lance 1 Lance LaDuke, long-time friend of the Falcone Festival, passed away on December 10, 2023, after a tragic accident. Lance won the Euphonium Student gold medal in 1986 at the first-ever Festival and returned in 2015 as guest artist, premiering Crossroads by Brian Balmages, a piece commissioned to honor the Festival’s first thirty years. He also served as a Falcone Festival adjudicator and Honorary Board member for many years.

Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, he was a graduate of Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in music education. Before completing his graduate studies at the University of Akron, Lance won a job playing euphonium in the United States Air Force Band in Washington DC, where he stayed from 1991 to 1995. He earned an MM degree in instrumental conducting at George Mason University while in the Air Force Band.

Maybe Lance is the best one to talk about his musical life. In his own words:

I have been very fortunate in my career to play with some amazing groups (Boston Brass, Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, USAF Band in Washington DC, River City Brass, Brass Band of Battle Creek), with some amazing musicians (Henry Mancini, Doc Severinsen, Morgan Freeman, Imani Winds), in some amazing places (all 50 states and 30-plus countries), and have taught some amazing students (faculty positions at Carnegie Mellon University and Duquesne University and guest appearances at Juilliard, London Royal Academy of Music, Hong Kong Academy, Brazil’s Tatui Conservatory and many others), and am devoted to helping the next generation of musicians (and those who teach them) in any way I can. That’s a lot of parentheses. Sorry (not sorry). (source: lanceladuke.com)

As an educator, Lance was most interested in helping players figure out their own unique path to a career with the euphonium, emphasizing creative and entrepreneurial thinking. In addition to his teaching at Carnegie Mellon University and his performing, he was involved in comedy improv, comedy song writing, podcasts, the Modern Musicking Center, was an XO Artist and advocate for Jupiter Band instruments, had a song headed to the moon as part of the Carnegie Mellon MoonArk project—and don’t forget his love of ukuleles!

He will be missed.