Copyright 2006-2009 Bethlehem Music Series, All Rights Reserved
Design by Exodus Design Studios
Matthew Culloton, Founding Artistic Director and Conductor
Founded in 2004, The Singers organization is dedicated to giving world-class performances of the finest choral literature. Dedicated to the work of today's composers, the Singers has premiered and commissioned nearly forty new works since its founding. They have shared the stage with many of the Midwest's most beloved performers. Don't miss this special kick-off concert which will include portions from Rachmaninoff's renowned "Vespers," along with folk songs and spirituals.
The only bluegrass band EVER nominated as "Artist of the Year" (2004) by the Minnesota Music Academy, Monroe Crossing won the MMA's "Bluegrass Album of the Year" award in 2003. Named in honor of Bill Monroe, "The Father of Bluegrass," Monroe Crossing plays an upbeat blend of classic and traditional bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. Now in their 10th year, MC was inducted into the Minnesota Hall of Fame and were the official showcase band at the International Bluegrass Music Association in Nashville, TN in 2007. Always a crowd-pleaser, Monroe Crossing most definitely will bring a smile!
Both of Australian descent, Dale Barltrop, concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in British Columbia, and pianist Stephanie Wendt, blend their talents to create magical moments. Mr. Barltrop, previously, principal second violinist of the St. Paul Chamber Orcherstra, solos with many of the major orchestras; was a founding member of the Verklarte Quartet; and grand prize winner at the 2003 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Barltrop was a student of Gerald Fischbach and the Guarneri String Quartet. and continued his studies with William Preucil, concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra. At the University of Maryland, he co-founded and directed the Philharmonia Ensemble, a highly sucessful student chamber orchestra.
Concert pianist, teacher, public radio broadcaster, Stephanie Wendt has performed to enthusiastic audiences on five continents. Passionate about sharing classical music with diverse audiences, she has performed in venues ranging from a maximum-securtiy prison to Avery Fisher Hall in New York. Stephanie has won many prizes and awards, including a McKnight Artist Fellowship for Performing Musicians and the national Gracie Allen Award for her documentary about Clara Schumann. She also wrote and perfoms a one-woman play about Clara Schumann called "Clara's Visitor." Her teachers included Jorge Bolet, Gary Graffman, Lydia Artymiw, Joan Torno, and Clemns Leske. A special feature of this concert will be the premiere performance of a piece by David Evan Thomas entitled "Valentines" especially commissioned for this event.
Join the fun and food as two local organists join forces for a creative organ concert complete with video transmission, and organ crawl, contest, prizes, and pizza to follow.* Recently appointed Director of Music Ministry at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Timothy Strand is active as a recitalist, freelance accompianist, and promotional recording artist for both Augsburg Fortress and MorningStar Music Publishers. For more than three decades, Maria Bucka has been Organist/Director of Music for Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She is Founder and Artistic Director for the Bethlehem Music Series and held the position of Dean of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists from 1991-1995.
*To enter the contest please go the Bethlehem Lutheran Church website and submit your answers now!
Founded by Steven Amundson of St. Olaf College and now directed by William Schrickel, former Assistant Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra and founding member of the Minneapolis Artists Ensemble, the MSC's reputation for artistic excellence continues to grow as it provides brilliant, innovative programming with world-class soloists. William Schrickel has been the Music Director of the Metropolitant Symphony Orchestra since 2000. A former Assistant Conductor of the Minnesota ORchestra, he was also Music Director of the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra from 2002-2008 and received a prestigious Award for Adventurous Programming from ASCAP and the League of American Orchestras in 2006. An active chamber musician, Schrickel has been a member of the the Hill House Chamber Players in St. Paul and was a founding member of the Minneapolois Artists Enesemble.
Joining the MSO for this concert are mezzo soprano, KrisAnne Weiss and trumpeter Takako Seimiya Senn. Ms Weiss has been praised by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel for her 'even, warm sound and facile technique'. KrisAnne continues to amass regional credits in opera, concert, and recital. She has performed leading roles in L'Italiana in Algeri, The Dangerous Liasions, The Merry Wives of WIndsor, Cosi fan tute, and Madame Butterfly.
An artist with international credentials, Takako Seimiya Senn won first prize in the prestigious Tokyo Bunkakaikan Hall Competition in 1993 and continues to be in demand as a soloist and freelance performer. Recently, she won first place for the Solo Concerto Competition for MSO to perform in their 2009-2010 season. Senn will be the featured soloist in Armenian composer Alexander Arutiunian's Trumpet Concerto, and mezzo soprano KrisAnne Wiess sins the premiere of Minneapolist composer John Tartaglia's Dark Night-Glad Day, a work incorporating poetry taken from the late Bill Holm's final book, The Windows of Brimnes. The program concludes with Russian Easter Overture, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov's radiant symphonic tour de force.
Come and be filled with rich sonorities from the Russian music tradition.
Copyright 2006-2009 Bethlehem Music Series, All Rights Reserved
Design by Exodus Design Studios