Cantori will turn 40 in January
Published 7:24 am Sunday, January 1, 2012
Column: Eye on the Arts, Glen Parsons
First of all I want to take a moment to thank everyone who wrote, called or stopped me to say how much they enjoyed “A Christmas Carol!” We had hoped it would be a Christmas present to the community, and it seems to have been received that way. The cast, crew and I all want to say thank you for supporting the Albert Lea Community Theatre by your outstanding attendance! It is very much appreciated.
As for what’s happening in the arts in January, auditions for “Winnie the Pooh, A Birthday Tale” directed by Sue Jorgensen, will be at 7 p.m. on Jan. 3 and 4 at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. Show dates are Feb. 16, 17 and 18 all at 7 p.m. Also on Feb. 18 there will be an extra 2 p.m. matinee. This is a show for adults and kids performed by adults. So kids will have to wait until summer to audition for ACT’s “Oliver!” More information about auditions will appear here and in other places in the Tribune closer to that time.
2012 will also be the 40th year of an Albert Lea institution, the Albert Lea Cantori. Begun by Gene Janssen, minister of music at Grace Lutheran Church, in 1972, Cantori has thrived through all these years! It brings outstanding music performed by the area’s best vocalists to the community twice each year.
In 1979, when Janssen took another church music job in the Twin Cities, he was replaced by the most capable person our community had to offer, Eileen Nelson Ness. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Julliard School of Music in New York City.
Ness said, “It was set up originally that we do a variety of styles and composers. We can do much more difficult music than a church choir. We can do that because we’re not performing on a weekly basis. When you’re in a church choir, you can’t perform that kind of music.”
There are four charter members of the group who still sing with them. They are: Dennis Johnson, Sue Jorgensen, Julia Tender and Gail Thurnau. Thurnau sings soprano on a cappella pieces, but then accompanies the group on all other pieces.
In honor of its 40th anniversary a special piece of music has been commissioned by Sebastian Modarelli, an Argentine native who is now director of music at the Church of St. John the Evangelist of Rochester. Last year Modarelli was commissioned to write an orchestral piece for a New York City orchestra, so it is exciting to have his new work being showcased at our April 2, 2012, concert! Mark your calendar for this exciting event!
It’s been practice in the past to be asked to sing with Cantori, but there are a couple of openings in the bass section if anyone is interested. You could call Ness to inquire. Her home phone number is 377-2075.
Beginning Jan. 10 the Albert Lea Art Center will have its annual All-Member Show. Members are invited to enter up to three works not previously shown. Oils, watercolors and acrylics should be framed and in good condition. Members should contact the art center if they want to participate. This show provides an opportunity for member artists, even the artist who may not have a large body of work, to exhibit. Sounds like a great opportunity to take advantage of!
Another exciting new exhibit has arrived at the Freeborn County Historical Society called “Electrifying Minnesota.” It is a traveling exhibit from the Minnesota History Center and the Bakken Museum in St. Paul. Now it will be right here at home for all to see!
Through film, photography and interactive activities, this exhibit illuminates the way electricity has shaped life in Minnesota. It shows us the ways it used to be for our grandparents and great-grandparents who carried their own water by pail, or scrubbed and washed clothes on a washboard or sharpened tools on a whetstone.
Today we hit a switch and power tools do everything for us. It wasn’t always like that — and not so many years ago either. It is fascinating to see all the changes that happened after the discovery of electricity! This is one of six traveling exhibits through the Minnesota Historical Society which has been made possible through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008. Watch for special viewing dates besides the regular museum hours to be announced. Groups can also ask for special viewings by contacting the museum at 373-8003.
So even though it’s cold outside, there still are things happening around us! Enjoy them!
Glen Parsons is a member of the Albert Lea Community Theatre.