BEMIDJI, Minn. — Tickets are now available for the seventh annual Bemidji Concert Series, presented by the Department of Music at Bemidji State University. The series features world-class musicians for performances in the community.
The 2008-2009 series of three performances opens Sunday, Oct. 26, with award-winning Russian pianist Alexander Ghindin. All performances will be held in the Thompson Recital Hall of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex on the Bemidji State campus.
Ticket packages
Season ticket packages are $50 for an adult and free for all students; or supporters may choose to receive tickets as part of a donor membership package at one of three levels: sustaining member, $75, one season ticket; priority member, $125, one season ticket; or elite member, $250, one season ticket with a choice of reserved seating. Supporting members will be listed in each concert program in recognition of their commitment to help the series grow and continue to attract top-quality performers. Donations exceeding the regular season ticket price are tax deductible.
Regular season tickets and membership packages may be ordered by mailing a check to the Department of Music, Attn: Bemidji Concert Series, 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 or visiting the Department of Music office on the second floor of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex, Lueken’s Village North or Tutto Bene. Individual event tickets will be available at all three locations for $20 for the general public and free for students. Tickets, if available, will be sold at the door prior to each show.
Performance schedule
• Alexander Ghindin, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 26; first prize winner of the 2007 Cleveland International Piano Competition, a classical pianist who has performed extensively throughout Russia, Europe and Japan. At the age of 14, Ghindin won the Moscow Young Pianists’ Competition and at 17 became the youngest winner at the 10th International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1994. He has recorded numerous CDs and performed under the direction of many distinguished conductors.
• New York Woodwind Quintet, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27; a world premiere quintet that has performed for almost 60 seasons in the United States and abroad. Its members are all internationally recognized performers and teachers: flutist Carol Wincenc, clarinetist Charles Neidich, oboist Stephen Taylor, bassoonist Marc Goldberg and French hornist William Purvis. The quintet continues a 15-year residency at The Juilliard School.
• Western Brass Quintet, 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 6; founded in 1966, the quintet is comprised of the brass professors at Western Michigan University. The ensemble offers a variety of classical programs ranging from Bach to Bernstein and remains committed to promoting the composition of significant works for brass quintet. In addition to performing internationally, the quintet has presented concerts at more than 100 American universities.
History and sponsorship
The Bemidji Concert Series began seven years ago with the goal of making Bemidji the cultural center for northern Minnesota and providing the Bemidji region with music that could not commonly be heard without traveling to the Twin Cities. The series is supported by sponsorships from the Bemidji State University Department of Music, the Bemidji Pioneer, the Villa Calma Bed & Breakfast on Lake Boulevard, and the BSU Student Activity Allocation Committee.
For more information, please call the Department of Music at (218) 755-2915.