When The Concordia Choir from Concordia College in Moorhead takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd, the concert hall will be familiar to two choir members and their conductor.
Brainerd High School (BHS) graduates Wyatt Steinke and Naomi Swanson will sing in their hometown, along with Michael Smith, who was the choir director at BHS for 25 years. Smith is the guest conductor of The Concordia Choir filling in for Dr. René Clausen during his sabbatical year.
"I can't wait to show my friends and family what I do here at Concordia," Steinke said. "I know a number of people who are going to the concert, and I am so excited for them to hear the music we've been preparing."
Smith is pleased to bring the choir to his hometown as well. When he left his Brainerd choral conducting position in 2006, Concordia graduate Brian Stubbs took over the program. Smith believes the program is in good hands and he's even willing to follow Stubbs' lead, upon occasion.
"I sing in his church choir when I'm home," said Smith who is temporarily living in Moorhead. Smith's permanent home is near Baxter. "I have watched the legacy of great music in the Brainerd schools continue.
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"Brainerd has always been very supportive of music. Perhaps it's something in the water. They develop good musicians." - Michael Smith, conductor
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"Brainerd has always been very supportive of music. Perhaps it's something in the water. They develop good musicians."
Steinke and Swanson have both worked with Smith and Stubbs.
"In Wyatt's and my senior year of high school, we both sang in Mr. Stubbs' choir while taking private lessons with Mr. Smith," Swanson said. "We were thrilled when we found out Smith would be conducting us for a year."
The Brainerd concert is part of The Concordia Choir's national tour, which will take them to the southeastern United States. The national tour program ranges from J.S. Bach to Edvard Grieg and includes spirituals and hymns, a cappella and accompanied works and several selections by Eastern European composers.
Ēriks Ešenvald's composition "Stars" simulates the music of the spheres by using water-tuned wine glasses as accompaniment. "Curse Upon Iron," sung in Estonian and composed by Veljo Tormis, combines folk melodies and contemporary choral techniques to connect the ancient past with the present as it warns of the dangers of war.
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Stubbs, who also sang in The Concordia Choir, says the upcoming concert shouldn't be missed.
"The community will be treated to an amazing night of choral music," Stubbs said. "It doesn't get any better than this and it's in our own home auditorium."
If you go:
What: The Concordia Choir concert.
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14
Where: Tornstrom Auditorium
Tickets: $15 for adults; $5 for students. Tickets are available online at ConcordiaTickets.com, by calling 800-838-3006 or at the door.
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