SMU offers back-to-back free public concerts

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University invites the public to two free concerts — featuring the talents of student musicians fresh from spring break performance tours.

The SMU Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, 7th and Vila streets. The 27-voice select ensemble is performing in Wisconsin, Illinois and the Canadian province of Ontario as part of its 2012 Concert Tour from March 4-11.

A jazz homecoming concert is planned for 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 16, in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center. The event will feature a 12-piece “Little Big Band” fresh from a tour to Germany. Led by Dr. John Paulson, the group is performing a wide variety of jazz selections in and around the city of Cologne (Köln), Germany from March 5-10.