The Department of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College returns from its Easter Break to feature a full weekend of student recitals in the College’s Jussi Björling Recital Hall. The series of seven events range from voice to ‘cello and violin to brass and percussion. All events are free and open to the public.
Soprano Sara Butwinick opens the weekend on Friday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. with her senior voice recital. Accompanied by pianist Lindsey Reimnitz and a host of student musicians, Ms. Butwinick will present works by Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms and Reynaldo Hahn; and will premiere one of her own compositions for voice and string quartet titled Tease.
Trombonist Sarah Demke and trumpet Chris Fogderud combine efforts to present their junior recital on Saturday, April 22, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The two natives of Bismarck, North Dakota, will present solo works by von Weber, Haydn, Ewazen and Ketting, and conclude with Boris Blacher’s Divertimento, a duet for trumpet and trombone.
At 3:30 p.m., Shannon Schultze will present her senior ‘cello recital with accompanist Beth Winterfeldt. The Rochester native’s program includes works by Martinu and Beethoven and will finish with Samuel Barber’s Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, Op. 6.
Violinist Stephanie Arndt will present her senior recital with pianist Beth Winterfeldt at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Her program includes works by Felix Borowski, Claude Debussy, J.S. Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven.
Sunday, April 23 opens at 1:30 p.m. with the Gustavus Woodwind Ensembles Spring Concert. Conducted by Michele Gillman and Scott Kallestad, the performance includes works for the Gustavus Flute Choir and the Gustavus Saxophone Quartet.
At 3:30 p.m., Mankato native Colin McGuire will present his senior violin recital. The long-time concertmaster of the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra opens his recital with Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante in Eb Major, K. 364. Following intermission, he will change instruments, move to viola and present two works for violin and viola with brother Peter McGuire, a violinist with the Minnesota Orchestra.
The final recital of the weekend features senior percussionist Justin Haaheim at 7:30 p.m. Accompanied by pianist Beth Winterfeldt, the Gustavus Jazz Combo and several fellow Gustavus percussionists, Justin will present a recital of jazz, marimba (both solo and ensemble), and percussion ensemble works, including his own arrangement of Aaron Copland’s Appalachain Spring for four marimbas.
All seven events are free and open to the public and will be presented in the Jussi Björling Recital Hall.