Civic Music announces new season of entertainment to start up

Published 9:00 am Sunday, August 5, 2018

The Albert Lea Civic Music Association has kicked off the membership drive for its 2018-19 concert series.

As in previous years, the series includes five concerts in Albert Lea, and Civic Music members will be able to attend five concerts in Austin and four in Clear Lake as part of a reciprocity agreement with the Austin Artist Series and Clear Lake Area Concert Association.

“They are varied and interesting — artists you wouldn’t get to see in any other way in live concerts,” said Sue Jorgensen, one of the organizers, about this year’s lineup.

Email newsletter signup

Albert Lea concerts include national and international artists: classically-trained baritone Leon Williams, former “America’s Got Talent” competitors Sons of Serendip, longtime musicians California Guitar Trio, worldwide performing act Lysander Piano Trio and brass quintet Boston Brass.

Admission to the concert series is by membership only. The fee for the season is $45 per adult, $15 per student or $95 per family. Season tickets are available at the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, Farmers State Bank or online at www.albertleacivicmusic.com. Tickets can be purchased the night of each show up to 45 minutes prior.

Following is a description of each of the Albert Lea concerts, which will take place in the Albert Lea High School auditorium. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. except for the April 7 performance by Boston Brass, which will begin at 3 p.m.

Sons of Serendip, Sept. 16

As seen on “America’s Got Talent,” Sons of Serendip is made up of four friends who came together through a series of serendipitous events in graduate school at Boston University. They formed a quartet comprised of tenor, harp, cello and keyboard.

Their name comes from the notion that serendipity brought them together. They strive to embody the adjectives of classy, genuine, spiritual, sensitive and timeless.

 

California Guitar Trio, Nov. 13

This group is celebrating 25 years of making music together.

Comprised of Bert Lams, Hideyo Moreyo and Paul Richards, they have established a personal connection with audiences.

In addition to dazzling musicianship and interplay, California Guitar Trio’s shows are full of captivating stories and humor that enable concertgoers to feel like they’re part of the music, not just spectators.

Leon Williams, Feb. 21

A versatile baritone who soars to tenor-like heights with ease, Leon Williams has wowed audiences around the globe with his impassioned interpretations of everything from the cantatas of Johan Sebastian Bach to his performance of the leading role in the hit musical “Ragtime.”

He tours the world as a soloist, recitalist and guest artist with symphony orchestras and opera companies.

Lysander Piano Trio, March 16

Taking its name from the character in William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Lysander Piano Trio has toured all over the world and won numerous major competitions.

The trio, formed at Julliard School in 2009, is made up of Itamar Zoran on violin, Liza Stepanova on piano and Michael Katz on cello.

They have been praised for their passionate playing, articulate and imaginative ideas and wide palette of colors.

Boston Brass, April 7

For 30 years, Boston Brass has set out to establish a one-of-a-kind musical experience, from classical arrangements to burning jazz standards to the best of the original brass quintet repertoire.

The ensemble’s lively repartee, touched with humor and personality, attempts to bridge the gap of classical formality to delight audiences in an evening of great music and boisterous fun.

The following are the concerts in Austin and Clear Lake:

Austin

Sept. 30: Holy Rocka Rollaz, 3 p.m.

Oct. 13: William Florian, 7 p.m.

Feb. 21: Paul the Beatle, 7 p.m.

March 8: Tapestry, 7 p.m.

April 9: Sons of Serendip, 7 p.m.

Clear Lake

Oct. 1: Swing Your Strings, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5: The Funniest Night of your Life with Todd Oliver, 7 p.m.

April 5: William Florian, 7 p.m.

April 29: Paul the Beatle, 7 p.m.

There is a bonus concert May 30 with scholarship recipients.

This is the 73rd season for the Albert Lea Civic Music series.

Jorgensen said organizers are reaching out to people to inform them about the concert series in many ways this year, including billboards, direct mail, radio interviews and fliers in grocery bags.

If people have questions about the concerts, they can call Jorgensen at 377-1580 or Diane Heaney at 379-5386.

Jorgensen said on the days of the concerts in Albert Lea, people can be dropped off at the cafeteria entrance at the high school or at the Tiger entrance in the front. There will be volunteers to help get people into the building as necessary.

Tickets, please

Who: Albert Lea Civic Music Association

What: Annual membership for season of concerts

When: various dates

Where: Season tickets are available at the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, Farmers State Bank, online at www.albertleacivicmusic.com or before each local concert at Albert Lea High School

How much: $45 for adults, $15 for students, $95 for family