High school choir prepares for March concert

The Park Rapids High School choir enjoyed a productive January.

Since returning to school from winter break, the choir has begun working on concert music for their upcoming concert March 13 in the Park Rapids High School auditorium. This concert is free and open to the public.

Program selections will include works by 17th century composer Hans Leo Hassler, as well as Minnesota-based composers Abbie Betenis and Jake Runestad. The choir looks forward to sharing their music with the community.

The high school singers have also been gearing up for an ensemble contest in Kelliher Feb. 22. Three trio groups will represent Park Rapids High School at the contest, singing a wide variety of lyr- ics from 1800s British poets to contemporary sea shanties. Choir director Gunnar Aas was also able to take students to Concordia College for the annual High School Choir Festival. This festival is unique in that it gives hundreds of high school students the opportu- nity to sing with college-level musicians, as well as a chance to listen to featured high school choirs from Minnesota and North Dakota. Students who attended from Park Rapids included Emmy Goochey, Abby Runyan, Levi Trygstad and Jack as the first band manager and Jim Wheeler as its first conductor. In the years since, the band has grown to be a polished ensemble of woodwind, brass and percussion musicians from the surrounding area including such communities as Park Rapids, Bemidji, Bagley, Menahga, Detroit Lakes and others. Many participants are area band directors, music teachers and freelance instrumentalists.

The ranks are also filled with financial advisors, health professionals, farmers and social workers. Despite the varied occupations represented in the band, the main commonality is the members’ passion for making music.

Readers with the same enthusiasm for concert band music may contact band manager Paul Peterson at paul@peteport.com or music director, Adam Tervola Hultberg at ahultberg@ isd116.org. A full listing of rehearsal and performance dates, as well as archived performances, can be found on pracb.com.

Plan to attend spring Classic Chorale concert

Are you ready for warmer weather? Are you needing some time to relax and unwind? Just need to get out of the house?

Join the Park Rapids Classic Chorale for “Life,” a concert of life-themed music, to be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 28 and at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 30 at Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids.

The 30-voice chorale, under the direction of Dr. Melanie Hanson, closes their 2022-23 season leading listeners on a journey centered to our daily beat.

The audience will enjoy traditional texts as well as music from famous Minnesota composers, Renee Clausen, “All That Hath Life & Breath Praise Ye the Lord!”

GALLERY

From Page 7

“One of the best parts of our gallery is allowing our customers who want to connect to be a part of the gallery in ways more than just a purchase. We’re always open to conversations about our work, their work, resources, or sometimes issues that are completely off the rails. Honestly, it’s amazing how many people are so deeply interested in art and the conversations and ideas that can be sparked from the art itself,” co-owner Rossbach added.

The gallery doors will open for the 2023 season, Saturday, May 6 with expanded days of operation this summer: as well as “Dawn,” composed by Crookston native Dr. Eric William Barnum, grandson of one of the members of the chorale.

► May 6-27: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

► June 1-17: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

► June 17-Aug. 12: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday.

The program will be rounded out by the bluegrass toe tapper “I’ll Be On My Way” by Shawn Kirchner, pianist/organist/ composer-in-residence at the La Verne Church of the Brethren in La Verne, Calif.

The concert is open to the public with a freewill offering taken at intermission. As always, everyone is invited to join the chorale in the social hall for refreshments following the concert. Remember to like us on Facebook @PRClassicChorale to stay up to date on all the happenings of the chorale.

► Aug. 12- Dec 16: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Owners say they will also be open during 2nd Street Stage performances this summer for artist receptions and open houses. Visitors will be able to enjoy art, refreshments, snacks and conversation.

“We had one of our best attended receptions during a Thursday night 2nd Street Stage concert last year. We hope to ride that popularity this summer by featuring each of the six members, on those Thursday nights; putting a focus on art, the artist, and hope to keep building our audience in the process,” Simonson said.

Studio 176 is always open by appointment. They can be contacted at artinfo176@studio-176.com. Artwork is also available through their online art store at www.studio176.art.

Studio 176 is located at 176 3rd St W, downtown Park Rapids, across from Bella Caffé. For more information, visit studio176.business.site.