BEMIDJI, Minn. – Organist Sarah Carlson, who has performed internationally from Norway to Mexico, will present a recital 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 27, in the Thompson Recital Hall of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Admission is free of charge.

Carlson, formerly an adjunct professor of music at Coker College in Hartsville, S.C., will open the recital with some Italian, Spanish and German pieces followed by a few sacred modern works, including “The Miracle at Cana” from “Miracles” by Daniel Pinkham, featuring Sue Nelson on flute. Nelson, a BSU adjunct faculty of music, will also accompany Carlson on “Five Pieces for Flute and Organ” by Jean Langlais.

To conclude, Carlson will perform “The King of Instruments,” a whimsical piece written by contemporary composer William Albright to demonstrate the different sounds and stops on the organ. Accompanying Carlson as narrator will be Dr. Mark Christensen, BSU professor of English.

Carlson is director of music ministry at First Lutheran Church in Bemidji and recently performed with the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra. Prior to coming to Bemidji, she was the director of music at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Darlington, S.C. She has appeared internationally at the Dom Kirke Music Festival in Kristiansand, Norway, and at an organ study program in Mexico City. She is an active soloist and recently gave a recital at St. Helena’s Episcopal Church in Beaufort, S.C., as part of their 2007 guest organ recital series and was a continuo player for the Baroque Orchestra at the 2005 International Baroque Institute at the Longy School of Music. She also has performed with the LaFosse Baroque Ensemble, the St. Olaf Chamber Orchestra and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

While at Coker College, Carlson was the accompanist for the Coker Singers and head of the Piano Division’s Preparatory School of Music. She holds a master of music degree in organ performance from the University of Iowa and earned her bachelor of music degree from St. Olaf College.

For more information, please contact the Department of Music at (218) 755-2915.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Jan. 27 – 7:30 p.m. – Sarah Carlson Guest Organ Recital presented by Bemidji State University. Location: Thompson Recital Hall of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex, BSU campus. Admission: free.