A series of class acts

The campaign drive for the 2014-15 Albert Lea Civic Music Series kicked off Thursday and will run through Aug. 29.

This year’s concert series features five concerts in Albert Lea plus the opportunity to attend four in Clear Lake.

Concerts in Albert Lea include a Broadway Theater vocalist and vibraphone virtuoso, a Russian cello and violin quartet, a trio of sisters, a wind quintet from Slovakia and an award-winning men’s a Capella group.

Sue Jorgensen, publicity chairwoman for Albert Lea Civic Music, said the concerts can appeal to both young and old and will feature groups that are personable.

“They are wonderful programs,” Jorgensen said. “They are class acts.”

Admission is by season ticket only. Costs are the same as previous years with season tickets $85 per family, $40 for adults and $10 for students.

All of the Albert Lea concerts will be in the Albert Lea High School auditorium. Money raised goes to support scholarships to local students.

Following is a description of each of the Albert Lea concerts:

• Rebecca & Kuba, 7:30 p.m., Sept., 18

Husband and wife Rebecca Lowe and Jakub Kuba perform a varied program of pop, jazz and classical music.

Kuba, born in Poland, has played music instruments since he was 6. Though his primary instrument is the vibraphone, he also plays drums, guitar, violin and the theremin. He provides accompaniment for his wife.

Lowe was born and raised in Texas and will sing.

• Russian Quattro, 7:30 p.m., Oct. 20

Formed by two members of the Rastrelli Cello Quartet, Russian Quattro features two cellos and two violins, producing a sound like a string quartet. The ensemble will perform a varied program, mixing works by Tchaikovsky, Bach and Dvorak with that of George Gershwin, Dave Brubec and Glenn Miller.

• The Jung Trio, 3 p.m., Nov. 23

Featuring sisters Ellen, Julie and Jennie Jung, Jung Trio has been awarded numerous prizes in major chamber music competitions and festivals.

Of Korean descent, all three sisters have degrees from the University of Toronto, the New England Conservatory, Juilliard School and the Yale School of Music. The trio includes violin, cello and piano.

• Suchon Wind Quintet, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 5

Taking its name from Slovakian composer Eugen Suchon, the Suchon Wind Quintet is made up of leading wind players of the Slovak Sinfonietta and is made up of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn.

The quintet plays a classic program by composers such as Poulenc, Mozart, Beethoven and Thuille.

• Six Appeal, 7:30 p.m., May 12

A St. Paul-based male ensemble, Six Appeal began in 2006 at Concordia College in Moorhead.

Starting with a strong choral background and classical roots, they have since expanded their repertoire to the music of today, including original arrangements of hit songs.

Their latest success was at the 2012 National Harmony Sweepstakes, where they took home the awards for Audience Favorite, Best Original Song and National Champion.

 

Clear Lake concerts

The concerts in Clear Lake are all at the E.B. Stillman Auditorium and include the following:

• Six Appeal, 7 p.m., Oct. 19

• O Sole Trio, 7 p.m., Nov. 20

• Harmonious Wail, 7 p.m., March 1, 2015

• Link Union, 7 p.m., April 27, 2015

People can join in for the season by purchasing season tickets from a Civic Music board member or advocate who will be out selling them or they can mail their checks to Albert Lea Civic Music, P.O. Box 167, Albert Lea MN 56007. Tickets are also available at the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, 102 W. Clark St.

People who would like to give more than the standard price also have the opportunity to make a tax deductible gift to the organization. Contribution categories range from dulce for donations under $50, allegro for $51 to $150 donations, presto for $151 to $300, vivace for $301 to $1,000, and scherzo for more than $1,000.

The organization can be found online at www.AlbertLeaCivicMusic.com.

 

Tickets, please 

What: Albert Lea Civic Music Series

Where: The Albert Lea High School auditorium in Albert Lea and E.B. Stillman Auditorium in Clear Lake

How much: $85 per family, $40 per adult or $10 per student