Northern Lights Trio Plus Geriatrics, July 5

 At the close of their first Tuesday noon performance in 2014, pianist Ron Olsen enthusiastically praised the audience and requested a return engagement on the Community Presbyterian's Church's (703 N. Pokegama Ave.) grand piano.  That’s high praise from a pianist who has toured professionally and performed on some of the world’s best instruments. But no piano makes really beautiful music without the expert nuancing of a keyboard artist like Ron, as he leads the trio seamlessly from easy listening and jazz standards through Broadway, sacred and secular music and into rock'n roll. 

Tuesday, July 5 the noon concert features the Northern Lights Trio + 1 and Geriatrics.  Ron and his group entertain requests and claim to have 2000 plus tunes in their head so come with your favorite titles in mind.  Queried as to how they decide and signal key changes, Terry Price, guitarist and percussionist, humbly replied, “We just know.”  The combo of keyboard expertise and sensitivity to a wide range of music on the parts of all member makes this one of the season’s favorite performances. 

Ron played in piano bars and supper clubs throughout the Midwest while in school and while working his "day job"  in Munich, Germany.  Terry was the percussionist many Midwest bands including the Dave Dighton Band of Iowa. Bass player Jerry Hagen was a member of the well-known Pretenders for many years. 

This year word has it that Don Olsen, Ron’s brother, will be joining the group the first half so I’m thinking we’re about to hear the washtub bass among other special effects.  Marcie Lindgren from the Edge will be on hand with specially discounted tickets for the piano bar which the band headlines at Bigfork, Aug. 13. 

At halftime the group will morph into Jeriatrics, a costumned rock ‘n roll group of the 60’s so come prepared to tap your toes, revisit your youth, and revive your sense of humor. 

You won't want to miss the Northern Lights Trio in concert next Tuesday, July 5 noon at Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids.  As always the free concert is followed by a $6 church luncheon and a chance catch up with friends.

Consensus and the Stubbs Return

Brian and Jenny Stubbs and friends return to Grand Rapids this Tuesday, June 28th to share the music they are making with their Brainerd friends.  Hear them in concert at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church Noon to 12:45.

Consensus is a Brainerd-based a cappella group, performing an eclectic mix of standard choral works, popular arrangements, and jazz standards.  The nine-member group formed in 2011 to create anopportunity to socialize and to sing music with a high degree of polish.

The concert opens with "You Are the New Day" by John David, arr. Peter Knight, followed by an eclectic mix of choral gems. The closing number "Seaside Rendezvous" by Freddie Mercury, arr. Paul Hart and sung by only 9 wonderful vocalists, is guaranteed to hold us in thrall.

Brian moved to Brainerd years ago after directing the Grand Rapids High School vocal program   Those of you who were privileged to sing under his direction remember the wonderful humor and intensity with which he finessed a number.  At one point, he was so energized that he challenged the altos in his ecumenical choir to sing a high G and demonstrated that he could do so.  No excuses! Just pure music.

The concert is, as always, funded by your generous donations.  This year you are encouraged to refer Itasca County music majors in their third year of university studies for a scholarship.  Applications are available from all committee members and are due Aug. 1.

That's St. Andrew's Lutheran Church just off N. Highway 38 at the last stoplight before you leave Rapids at noon, Tuesday, June 28th.  

Trio con Brio Stockholm

They're back!  All you music lovers who've followed Jan Holmgren, Carina Cederwall, and Stig Andersson from their home in Sweden across Minnesota and back will revel in the gentle humor and sensitive musicianship of these longtime friends.  Imagine touring the U.S. with your two best friends, not once, but five times.  At each stop our friends rendezvous with friends from previous concerts.

This time they'll be reminiscing over their initial tour fifteen years ago when they stayed in the home of Pastor David Anderson, St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids.  At the time David was serving the Deerwood congregation and via a postcard had referred Jan to the Grand Rapids Summer Series Committee.  Zion graciously hosted their first three concerts here, but due to scheduling difficulties, we have a brand new venue for them and you.  Please make your way over to the Alliance Church on 21st S. and Airport Road.  

 TRIO CON BRIO STOCKHOLM’s program for June 21^st is entitled “Music Without Limits—In Our Way.” The performance will include music from Lars-Erik Larsson, Aram Chatjaturjan, Issac Albeniz, Leroy Anderson, Erick Korngold, Ignaz Friedman and will conclude with the well known Abba hit “Thank You for the Music” written by former Abba members Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson!

Darcy Reich and I have both been listening to the CD's we purchased on their previous tours and looking forward to additional music we can savor throughout the years.  A mellow combination of oboe/ flute, piano, and vocal, these are the easy listening classics you can visit with friends over or sip your favorite beverage as you listen to the loons on the lake. CD's are only $10 at the door so come early, bring your friends, and plan to enjoy a tasty church luncheon ($6) following the concert, which is, as always, free.  We will, however, pass the plates on this one to help the Trio with some of their travel expenses from Stockholm, Sweden.  

The concert starts sharply at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, June 14 at the Alliance Church on Airport Road. 

From Little Eden

Ripples of success spread joy day by day, performance by performance.  Today over 160 audience members gathered to be lifted up by the first concert "Songs We Love to Sing."  And I'm still flying high!

Next week The Rev. Richard Collman, who grew up on Prairie Lake south of Floodwood, will share his life of music with us. Each summer he and his family enjoy their time on the lake at "Little Eden."

Titled "An Autobiographical Recital," Richard opens with a rich piano arrangement of "Les Baricades Misterieuses" by Francois Couperin subtitled "The Mysterious Barricade" and composed in 1717. A Liszt Etude and a Celtic meditative piece follow.

Organ numbers include a Dietrich Buxtehude "Prelude and Fugue," followed by a modern arrangement by "The Old OneHundredth."  

The third set concluding with  "Be Still My Soul" demonstrates the beauty and range of the Celtic harp.

We are indebted to Rev. Peter Nord and Anne Lewis for introducing Richard Collman to our Fourteenth Summer Series.