Music has been filling the air at Gustavus Adolphus College, and it’s not about to stop. The final weeks of November are full of music concerts and events, including Gustavus and Vasa Wind Orchestras, Musical B.A.R., Brassworks, Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestra, Jazz, Woodwind Chamber, and Percussion.
James Patrick Miller, Director of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, has been a faculty member since 2008. He was one of the conductors for the Gustavus Wind and Vasa Orchestras concerts on Nov. 15, along with Karrin Meffert-Nelson, Assistant Professor in Music and Music-Instrumental, and Heidi Johanna Miller, Adjunct Assistant Professor and Conductor of Brass Choir and Woodwind Choir in Music and Music-Instrumental. Despite the snow and weather conditions, the concert sported a full house with standing room only and approximately 500 people in attendance.
“It has been a joy to share our music with such a terrific audience,” Miller said.
This January Interim the Gustavus Wind Orchestra will take the show on the road during their Midwest Tour.
“We are trying to reach out to the communities around us, and one of the ways we hope to do this is by visiting schools during our tour. We are hoping to interact with students through lessons, shadowing, and concerts to get them fired up about music,” Senior Danica Swanson said.
The annual Gustavus Philharmonic Orchestra Fall Concert, conducted by Justin Knoepfel, Assistant Professor in Music and Music-Instrumental, will be performed in the Bjorling Recital Hall on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The GAC Fall Jazz Concert will be following close behind, performing on Sunday, Nov. 23 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Bjorling Recital Hall. Dave Stamps, Assistant Professor and Director of Jazz Ensembles in Music will be directing the Gustavus Jazz Lab Band and the Adolphus Jazz Ensemble for this annual concert that is free and open to the public.
Also performing on Nov. 23 will be the Woodwind Chamber Ensemble’s Fall Concert at 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This concert will be directed by Meffert-Nelson, Ann Pesavento, James DeVoll, and John Engebretson. This is an annual concert and will be free and open to the public.
Students are also taking music into their own hands and getting involved outside of Gustavus ensembles. Musical B.A.R. allows students to sign up to perform music and other talents for their peers in the Courtyard Café.
“It’s a great opportunity for students at Gusatvus to get together and begin their own musical endeavers,” Sophomore Kevan Larson said.
The group is entirely made up of students.
“Every time I perform I’m always looking forward to the next Musical B.A.R.” Sophomore Zakariyas James said.
To contact Musical B.A.R. with questions, suggestions, or to reach a member for a chance to perform, email the group at themusicalbarofficers@list.gustavus.edu.
Keep up with upcoming concerts and musical events at Gustavus by visiting the Gustavus website.
-Kim Krulish