Entertainment briefs - Feb. 14

■ Winter benefit
concert set Tuesday

The Brainerd High School Orchestra Program will present its winter benefit concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd.

The concert is open to the public and a free will donation will be accepted to be given to the Brainerd Area Kinship/Partners program for young people.

Two Brainerd orchestras will perform orchestral masterpieces from, England, Denmark, Italy, Russia, Czechoslovakia and America representing, classical, romantic, neo-romantic and contemporary styles of music from 250 years of composition.

The Sinfonia Orchestra will start the concert with Mock Morris by English Composer Percy Aldridge Grainger and Gimini by American Composer Francis L. Feese. Next the Sinfonia Orchestra will perform “Evening Prayer” by Engelbert Humperdinck followed by “The Speckled Hen” by William Hofeldt. Sinfonia will conclude their part of the concert with Blue Rhythmico by American Composer Kirt N. Mosier.                 

The Chamber Orchestra will begin their portion of the concert with the first two movements of a Little Suite by Danish Composer Carl Nielsen and the Elegy by English Composer Edward Elgar. Next the Chamber Orchestra will perform the first movement of the Serenade for Strings by Czech Composter Anton Dvorak followed by the Romanze by Russian Composer Sergei Rachmaninow. The concert will conclude as we feature freshman Matthew Majerle at the piano in the first movement of the Concerto Grosso for String Orchestra and Piano by American Composer Ernest Bloch.   

■ Sing, Play, Learn!
set at Brainerd library

The MacPhail Center for Music’s early childhood music specialists will explore the magic of music and play on Saturday at the Brainerd Public Library.

The program is offered at two different times: 9:30-10:15 a.m. and at 11-11:45 a.m. Through hands-on musical play activities, families will experience music’s impact on learning and reading readiness. Participants will sing, rhyme, read, move and create. The program is suitable for children birth to age 5. Space is limited, sign up by calling the library at 829-5574.

MacPhail’s early childhood music workshop provides an exciting and creative beginning to a lifelong journey of musical learning and participation. Studies have shown that musical experiences early in life prepare your child for the skills needed for success in school and life, plus, prepare your child for future musical study. Through playful, engaging experiences your child will gain musical knowledge and skills.

There will also be a professionals’ workshop, Musical Story-time, presented from 1-4 p.m. at the library by the MacPhail Center for Music staff. This workshop is especially for those working with young children whether in a library, child care center, early pre-K program or other program. Learn new ways to enhance story times with the addition of music. Hands-on activities will help participants gain new ideas. Space is limited. Register by calling the library.

This free Legacy Program is funded in part or in whole with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov.4, 2008 which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s art and cultural heritage.

■ Local students tour
with Concordia Choir

Brainerd lakes area students are touring with the Concordia Choir from Concordia College in Moorhead. They are senior Elijah Johnson, a music education major, the son of Bruce and Ellen Johnson, Brainerd; and senior Colin Sullivan, a psychology major, the son of Bart and Kathleen Sullivan of Baxter.

The choir’s 2013 tour includes performances in Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; Fort Smith, Ark.; Waco, Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Austin and Plano, Texas; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Topeka, Kan.; Lincoln, Neb.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Duluth, Virginia, Moorhead and Minneapolis.

World-renowned composer and conductor Dr. René Clausen conducts the 74-voice a cappella choir and is the artistic director of the Emmy winning Concordia Christmas Concerts seen by audiences of 18,000 people each year and televised nationally through Public Broadcasting Service.

■ Monroe Crossing to
perform in Staples

STAPLES - Minnesota Music Hall of Fame bluegrass artist Monroe Crossing will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Centennial Auditorium in Staples. The concert is a part of the Staples Motley Area Arts Council’s season and is underwritten by Arvig Communications.

Known as “the Midwest’s Premier Bluegrass and Gospel Quintet,” Monroe Crossing routinely performs to sellout audiences at theatres, operas houses and Performing Arts centers across the US, Canada and Europe.

They are touring in support of their new CD, “The Road Has No End.” The CD, features the songwriting talents of band members Derek Johnson, Mark Anderson and Lisa Fuglie.

Named in honor of Bill Monroe, “the Father of Bluegrass,” Monroe Crossing also recently released a tribute CD, “Monroe Crossing Plays the Songs of Bill Monroe,” which features 15 classic bluegrass songs made famous by the “Big Mon” himself, and their third all-gospel recording, “Joy, Joy, Joy.”

Founded in 2000, Monroe Crossing plays well over 125 shows a year, including The Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield WI, The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and they will debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City this month. They are a 2007 inductee into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, and were invited by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) to showcase at the 2007 IBMA World of Bluegrass convention in Nashville.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students in advance, or $15 and $1 at the door. Tickets are available at http://staplesmotleyarts.org/ or at the Staples Motley Public Schools Community Education Office at 218-894-2497. Anyone purchasing five or more advance sale tickets to any event, or series of events, at the Community Education Office will receive a special season price of only $10 per ticket. The five ticket discount is not available on line.

■ Award-winning artist
work on display

CROSSLAKE - The Crosslake Art Club currently has an exhibition of paintings by Sherri Wagner on display at the Crosslake Community Library. The exhibit features paintings in a variety of mediums including watercolor, pastel and acrylic and will be up through the end of April.

Wagner is a local artist who has won numerous awards for her paintings.

Crosslake Art Club members also display art work at other local venues including the Crosslake City Hall, Breezy Point City Hall and the Crosslake Community Center. Club members with paintings currently on display include Beverly Abear, Cecelia Burgwald, Adele Erickson, Pearl Gensmer, Darlene Howard, Jan Hupperts and Wini Kristufek.

The Crosslake Art Club is a group of more than 50 artists who meet the first Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Crosslake Community Center. Individuals interested may contact Diane Runberg at 218-765-3851.

■ C-I choirs to perform

CROSBY - The Crosby-Ironton High School seventh and eighth grade boys/girls/mixed choirs, Concert Choir, Girls’ Triple Trio, Chamber Singers and A Cappella Choir will present their annual winter concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Mayberry Auditorium.

The choirs are under the direction of Wayne Ellingsen and accompanied on piano by Bryan Johnson. Admission is by donation at $5 for adults and $3 for students.

Opening the concert will be the seventh and eighth grade boy’s choir singing two sailor songs titled “The Boatman Stomp” and “Rosalee.” The seventh and eighth grade girls will follow with “When I Close My Eyes” and “And This Shall Be For Music.” The boys and girls choirs will then combine and close with “The Rock Island Line” and “Blow, Bugle Blow.”

The Concert Choir will next present five songs demonstrating a variety of styles of music. Included in those selections are “Windy Nights,” “Cantar” (‘Sing’ sung in Spanish) and “Sippin’ Cider With Eliza.”

The Girls’ Triple Trio and Chamber Singers will follow the Concert Choir with a wide variety of a cappella music. Songs performed will include “My Heart Is Full of Merriment and Joy,” “My Heart Doth Beg You’ll Not Forget,” “Adoramus te Christe” and “The Spinning Song.”

The A Cappella Choir will conclude the concert with more songs including their contest selections. Songs include “For The Beauty Of The Earth” by Rutter, “Requiem” arranged by Johnson, “Earth Song” by Ticheli, “In Remembrance” by Ames, and “Cornerstone” by Kirchner. Singing solos with the choir are Jesse Drake and Allison Gregg. Accompanying the choir on clarinet is Jenny Planer.

■ Portrait show to open

AITKIN - The Jaques Art Center is finishing up its ninth annual Juried Show “Home Sweet Home,” which ends Saturday and will open its next exhibit on Feb 22 which is a portrait show.

The portrait show runs through April 6, with an opening reception from 12-3 p.m. Feb 23. The varied style and mediums of the participating arts will create a diverse and admirable exhibit. Featuring the artwork of Rachel Goble, Carroll Heft, Dianne Lewis and Mark Richardson.