BEMIDJI, Minn. (April 19, 2010) — The Department of Music at Bemidji State University will host a number of concerts at the end of April, including a chorale concert, a BSU Wind Ensemble and Bemidji Choir concert and a BSU Symphonic Band and BSU Chamber Ensembles concert.

The trio of events kicks off Thursday, April 22, with a combined concert of the BSU Women’s Chorus, MusiKanten and the Chamber Singers, featuring the talents of Bemidji State students.

The Women’s Chorus is directed by seniors Ashley Bremseth of Fergus Falls, Minn., and Angela Hesse of Comfrey, Minn. The MusiKanten men’s chorus is directed by seniors Jake Kaehne of Bemidji and Joe Colago of Browns Valley, Minn. The Chamber Singers are directed by Dr. P. Brad Logan, director of choral activities, with student direction by Bremseth and Kaehne.

The chorale concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Thompson Recital Hall of Bemidji State’s Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Admission is free.

On Tuesday, April 27, the BSU Wind Ensemble and Bemidji Choir will present “Songs and the Night Sky.” The first half of the program will feature the BSU Wind Ensemble performing music of the “Night Sky” including “Wild Nights!” by Frank Ticheli, “Mars (from The Planets)” by Gustav Holst and “The Adventures of Space Cat” by Mark Spede.

“The Adventures of Space Cat” is a multimedia presentation which will include an animated short created by the Clemson University Digital Theater. The story of space cat was influenced by “Buck Rogers” serials, “Star Wars” and “Lost in Space.” The animation, complete with dialog and sound effects, will be accompanied by live music performed by the BSU Wind Ensemble.

The second half of the concert will feature the combined forces of the BSU Wind Ensemble and the Bemidji Choir in a performance of “Song of Democracy” by Howard Hanson. The work uses a text by American poet Walt Whitman and is one of the most performed combined band and choral works.

The BSU Wind Ensemble and Bemidji Choir concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Theater of Bemidji State’s Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens. All students are admitted free.

Wednesday, April 28, will see a split concert featuring the BSU Trumpet Ensemble and Woodwind Quintet and the Symphonic Band. The Trumpet Ensemble and Woodwind Quintet will perform the first half of the concert, while the Symphonic Band will play the second half.

The Symphonic Band will be performing “Midway March” by John Williams, “Overture for Winds” by Charles Carter and “Variations on a Korean Folk Song” by John Barnes Chance.

The BSU Symphonic Band and BSU Chamber Ensembles concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Theater of Bemidji State’s Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens. All students are admitted free.

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