Swingin’ clarinets, Irish medleys, Beatles songs and more are coming to Albert Lea this year.

Albert Lea Civic Music will start its 2012-13 concert series Sept. 30 with the Clarinet Swing Kings at 3 p.m.

The series continues with Cahal Dunne at 3 p.m. Oct. 28, then Thuringer Salonquintett at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14, Peter Simon at 7:30 p.m. March 8 and Abbey Road Band at 7:30 p.m. April 23.

All concerts are at the Albert Lea High School auditorium. Admission is by season ticket only. To join mail a check to Albert Lea Civic Music, P.O. Box 167, Albert Lea, MN. Tickets are also available at the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Tickets are $85 for a family, $40 for adults and $10 for students. Following is a brief description of the five concerts in the series:

Clarinet Swing Kings

Dave Bennett, America’s young star of swing clarinet, and his seven-piece band,

salute all of the great clarinet players of the past including Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Pete Fountain, Woody Herman and Jimmy Dorsey by playing their biggest hits.

 

Cahal Dunne

Cahal Dunne is a songwriter, a masterful pianist, comedian and one of Ireland’s best vocalists. He accompanies himself at the piano and possesses that certain magical quality that comes from a great entertainer that washes over an audience.

 

Thuringer Salonquintett

A chamber music ensemble, Thuringer Salonquintett, is committed to the wonderful central European tradition of light and entertaining music. Their program transcends the notions of “classical” and “popular” music and combines their impeccable, spontaneous musicality with fun and innovative programming.

 

Peter Simon

Peter Simon has the humor of Victor Borge and the virtuosity of Liberace. He will perform an all-American style program that will delight and continues to excite audiences everywhere. Included will be a spectacular rendition of the much-loved “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin.

 

Abbey Road Band

No smoke and mirrors, no wigs or costumes.

The Abbey Road Band is the real thing. These are a professional fun-loving group of great musicians, who are passionate Beatles fans. They see it as very important to involve the audience as much as possible during their show. It is fun music, they’re having fun playing it and hope that the audience will enjoy it as much as they do.