The Department of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College presents a weekend of music as seven major ensembles combine to present five concerts through the weekend. All five performances are free and open to the public.
The weekend opens with the Vasa Wind Orchestra, under the direction of Douglas Nimmo, on Friday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Bjorling Recital Hall. The Vasa will present works showcasing the variety of repertoire written for wind ensemble, including works by Malcolm Arnold, Daniel Kallman, John Paulson, Warren Barker and Robert Smith.
Brassworks!, a concert presented under the direction of Scott Moore, combines the efforts of five smaller ensembles in one concert on Saturday, May 7, beginning at 3:30 p.m. in Bjorling Recital Hall. This concert includes performances by the Gustavus Brass Choir, the 4-tet, the Veritas Brass Quintet, the Gustavus Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble and the Christ Chapel Brass.
On Saturday evening, May 7, the Gustavus Symphony Orchesta is joined by the Gustavus Philharmonic Orchestra to present their spring concert in Bjorling Recital Hall. This performance, under the direction of Warren Friesen, begins at 7:30 p.m. and showcases the Philharmonic in works by G. F. Handel and W. A. Mozart. The concert concludes with a performance of Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring by the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra.
On Sunday, May 8, the Lucia Singers present their annual Mother’s Day concert in Christ Chapel at 1:30 p.m. Under the direction of Patricia Snapp, the women’s chorus will be joined by members of the Gustavus Percussion Ensemble, pianists Chad Fothergill and Sam Eckberg for this performance. The concert includes works for women’s chorus, madrigal and vocal jazz ensembles.
The series of ensemble performances concludes Sunday evening, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel with performances by the Birgitta Singers, under the direction of Julie Aune, and the St. Ansgar’s Chorus, directed by Gregory Aune. This performance is presented in Christ Chapel and includes works for women and men’s chorus from Felix Mendelssohn to Les Miserables. The ensembles are accompanied by pianist Alex Zupan and organist Chad Fothergill.
All five events are free and open to the public.