Music Series
Organ Recital
Jonathan Biggers, guest organist
Sunday, October 11, 2009 • 7:00pm
Jonathan Biggers returns to St. Olaf Church to play a solo concert on the Lively-Fulcher pipe organ. Cited as “one of the most outstanding concert organists in the U.S.,” he is currently Professor of Organ at Binghamton University in New York. The recital will feature works of Craig Phillips, J.S. Bach, Max Reger, Leo Sowerby and others. Freewill offering taken. Reception follows.
Cantus: Elemental
Friday, October 23, 2009 • 7:30pm
Cantus, a Twin Cities based full time professional male vocal chamber ensemble, brings its eclectic and acclaimed singing back to St. Olaf! Come experience the energy of the elements as Cantus explores how we connect to the Earth. The concert features works by Francis Poulenc, Eric Whitacre, Tom Lehrer and Franz Schubert, among others. This is the Twin Cities’ only opporunity to hear Cantus’ acclaimed touring program. Tickets: Adults – $25.00; Students/Children – $12.50. For advance purchase visit www.cantusonline.org or call 612-435-0055. Tickets also available at the door.
Mostly Mendelssohn
Kevin Seal, organist • Kathy Borgen, organist • Pastiche
Saturday, November 7, 2009 • 7:30pm
2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Felix Mendelssohn. In celebration, this concert will feature mostly music by Mendelssohn including three of his organ sonatas performed by Twin Cities organists Kevin Seal and Kathy Borgen. Pastiche is an ensemble of performers from the faculty of the joint music department of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in Minnesota. A combination of singers and instrumentalists, Pastiche will perform works by Mendelssohn and other composers of the Romantic period. Freewill offering taken. Reception follows.
Bridges: Sing with Me
Minnesota Chorale
Kathy Saltzman Romey, director
Saturday, November 21, 2009 • 7:00pm
The Minnesota Chorale’s Bridges series turns to the themes of mentorship and intergenerational collaboration, celebrating the relationships that have sprouted spontaneously between members of the Minneapolis Youth Chorus and singers in the adult Chorale. Sing With Me was developed in cooperation with the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, and will feature performances by at least three generations of singers. The concert will showcase the premiere of a work commissioned for the occasion from St. Paul-based Stephen Paulus, one of the world’s foremost choral composers. The program will also include the premiere of a song written collectively by students participating in a composition workshop led by former Chorale composer-in-residence Janika Vandervelde, author of “Music by Kids for Kids” — a composition curriculum published by the Minnesota-based American Composers Forum. Tickets: $18 adults, $10 students/seniors. Tickets are available in advance through Ticketworks (952-930-5100) or at the door.
What Sweeter Music
Christmas with The Singers
Matthew Culloton, Artistic Director
Min Kim, harp • Merilee Klemp, oboe
Saturday, December 5, 2009 • 7:30pm
The Singers again present “What Sweeter Music: Christmas with The Singers” at St. Olaf Catholic Church — a concert that includes traditional carols in new arrangements as well as original works for the season. This year, The Singers honor Stephen Paulus’ 60th birthday with a performance of his Three Nativity Carols and a world premiere of his Silent Night. Also, hear the premiere of Abbie Betinis’ evocative Fall of Stars. Also included on the program are works by many of Minnesota’s beloved composers such as Kenneth Jennings, René Clausen and Joshua Shank. Joined by harpist Min Kim and oboist Merilee Klemp, The Singers welcome the Christmas season with songs of tidings and cheer! Tickets: $10-$25, 651-917-1948 or online at www.singersmca.org. Tickets will also be available at the door before the concert.
Messiah Sing-A-Long
Minnesota Chorale, Kathy Saltzman Romey, director
Lynn Trapp, organist
Sunday, December 6, 2009 • 6:30-8:00pm
Everyone is invited to fill Saint Olaf Church with the sounds of George Frideric Handel’s most famous creation, the much loved oratorio, Messiah. The work is a presentation of Jesus’s life and its significance according to Christian doctrine. Bring your own score or borrow one here. Come to sing-a-long with members of the Minnesota Chorale or just come to listen. Freewill offering taken. Reception follows.
St. Catherine Choral Society
Sunday, April 25, 2010 • 7:30pm
The St. Catherine Choral Society is an 80-voice community chorus, sponsored by St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota comprising the voices of students, faculty and staff of the University and community adults. The Choral Society presents choral masterworks accompanied by professional soloists and orchestra. General admission tickets available at the door: $10 adult/$5 student.
May Day Piano
Andrew Staupe, pianist
Lynn Trapp, organist
Saturday, May 1, 2010 • 7:30pm
St. Olaf member and virtuoso pianist, Andrew Staupe, performs works by Frederic Chopin (including Polonaise-Fantasie, Op. 61) and Robert Schumann in honor of the 200th anniversary of their births. The program also includes the music of Samuel Barber as well as Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor scored for organ and piano, with Lynn Trapp at the organ. Frequent prizewinner and concerto soloist, Mr. Staupe performed Mendelssohn’s Concerto with the Minnesota Orchestra in Minneapolis in July, 2009. Other recent performances include the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and six recitals in Europe. He is currently a doctoral student in piano performance at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Freewill offering taken. Reception follows.
On Fire with the Spirit
Cyprian Consiglio, OSB, Camaldolese monk/musician/teacher
Saturday, May 22, 2010 • 9:00am-12Noon, concluding with 12Noon Mass
Retreat with Music in Vigil of Pentecost
Pentecost Sunday, May 23 • 3:30pm Prelude; 4:00pm Mass
Cyprian Consiglio is a singer, guitarist, composer, author, teacher and monk of the Camaldolese Congregation. For ten years, he lived at New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, serving for eight years as liturgist, choir director and teacher. Much of his music and teaching revolve around the Universal Call to Contemplation through spirituality and the arts. Cyprian will lead us in a weekend of international music, prayer, meditation and liturgy as we celebrate the great feast of the birthday of the Church — Pentecost.