Saint Mary’s choirs to perform April 28

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O'Shea, will present their Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels in Winona. The concert will also feature the Saint Mary’s Chamber Orchestra and organist Eric Heukeshoven. The performance will include works by Purcell, Bruckner, Egil Hovland, Stephen Hatfield, and Stephen Paulus.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU Jazz Workshop Combos to present ‘Final Exam’ April 26 at Acoustic Café

WINONA, Minn. — Two Saint Mary’s University jazz workshop combos, directed by Dr. John Paulson and A. Eric Heukeshoven, will present a free performance Thursday, April 26, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Acoustic Café, 77 Lafayette St. This event will feature student musicians who have been playing together all semester, and it will serve as their “final exam.” The “Heavy Metal Jazz Combo” directed by Paulson, and Heukeshoven’s “Fabulous 5 + 1” group will play well-known jazz standards by composers like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington, plus original jazz works by Paulson and Heukeshoven.

Dance Repertory Company presents ‘Le Corsaire’ April 27-28

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University 2011-2012 performance season concludes with the Dance Repertory Company in “Le Corsaire” Friday and Saturday, April 27-28, at the SMU’s Page Theatre.

For close to four decades, the Dance Repertory Company has delighted the Winona community with quality dance productions featuring local dancers in classical and contemporary works.

The classical full-length ballet “Le Corsaire” is loosely based on a poem by Lord Byron. It follows Medora, a beautiful slave girl, and Conrad, a dashing pirate, as they journey through a tapestry of captive maidens, rich sultans, swashbuckling abductions, and dramatic rescues; all culminating in a happy ending. Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to music by Adolfe Adam, “Le Corsaire” continues to delight audiences more than 150 years after its premiere.

Under the artistic direction of Tammy Schmidt, The DRC’s production of “Le Corsaire” features dancers who currently train at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts and Saint Mary’s University, as well as community members.

Tickets to the production — set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28 — cost $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens and are available on line at www.pagetheatre.org or by calling the SMU Performance Center at (507) 457-1715 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Dance Repertory Company is the pre-professional performance group of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Company members participate in rehearsals, technique classes and stage performances.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

For more information about The Dance Repertory Company or other arts programming at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

SMU honors retirees, faculty and staff for years of service

Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s University, congratulates two long-time Saint Mary’s employees retiring this year, including, Kathleen Flanagan, Department of Theatre and Dance, 31 years, left, and Ann Smith, Computer Science Department, 17 years. Also retiring from Saint Mary’s this year are: Greg Gaut, History Department, 17 years, John Paulson, Music Department, 30 years; and Pat Fleming, University Advancement, 42 years. This group was recognized at an employee service event Thursday, April 12. Employees with 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25- and 35-year anniversaries were also recognized.

Saint Mary’s Conservatory presents music division spring concert April 23

WINONA, Minn.— The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present a Music Division Spring Concert, Monday, April 23, at 7 p.m. at Valéncia Arts Center Recital Hall, 1164 West 10th St.

The concert will feature the Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS), Flutistry (the MCA Adult Flute Choir), and instrumental lesson students from MCA.

Admission is $10 at the door for adults (cash and checks only please). Financial-need based admission waivers are available. Admission is free for children and students ages 2-21.

WAYS members are students in grades four through eight from Winona and the surrounding areas. WAYS is dedicated to providing quality, artistic and educational vocal music experiences for all young people, regardless of their financial circumstances. WAYS was offered tuition-free to all students for the 2011-12 academic year. Lindsy O’Shea directs WAYS. The choir’s assistant director is Jessica Ingvalson and the accompanist is Camie Schneider.

Flutistry, the MCA Flute Choir, is in the midst of a successful inaugural season. The choir performs for many community outreach events and benefits throughout Southeastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Recent performances have included the Fantasy of Trees, a Women in Business luncheon and a Quilted Christmas. Upcoming events include a performance at the Upper Midwest Flute Association Flute Choir Concert on April 21 and a benefit performance for Project FINE at Signature’s Lounge on June 10. Amanda Moburg directs Flutistry.

Private lesson instrumental students also performing in the concert range in ages from 7 to 18. Students will present clarinet, flute, piano works. MCA Music Division Instructors featuring students in the concert include Amanda Moburg and Markiese Russell.

MCA Music Division Spring Concert performers include: Ryan Ortega, Miranda Ruben, Erin Walters and Samantha Wirkus; Flutistry members Jessica Bouska, Heidi Bryant, Carly Eggert, Janet Heukeshoven, Elsbeth Krumholz, Mandy Moburg and Bob Ogren; and WAYS members Emma Bucknam, Mia Herrick, Caidan Hoarn, Jessica Kohner, Mackaylee Kohner, Raquela McManimon, Carol Miller, Taylor Sanchez, Vivienne Warner, Lucy Wilfahrt and Emily Wobig. Additionally, this performance will feature Dr. Janet Heukeshoven on piccolo in a piece she has arranged for flute choir titled, “La Chasse.”

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

For more information about MCA’s Music division or other arts programming, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Saint Mary’s hosts Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology

Winona, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Biology Department will host the 39th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology on Friday, April 20, in the Adducci Science Center.

Students from Saint Mary’s Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics departments and students from colleges and universities in the tri-state region will present the results of their undergraduate research projects. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Presentations begin at 8:20 a.m.

The symposium presents all attendees the opportunity to experience the process of open collegial assessment of experimental findings, the opportunity to encounter discoveries from a variety of scientific disciplines, and an excellent environment to develop personal contacts and acquaintances.

Dan Keyler, professor of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and Graduate School, will present the R.V. Kowles Lecture at 1:45 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center. Professor Keyler is a noted expert in the field of envenomations, actively publishing and presenting lectures on venomous snake bites. He serves as the director of Research for Animal Venom Research International and as a consultant to several groups including the Minnesota Poison Control System and the United States Armed Forces. The title of his presentation is “Toxicology & Snakes: Passion and a Career.”

The public is invited to attend the lecture, as well as the student presentations, free of charge. Morning refreshments will be provided.

Student History Research Symposium is April 21 at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — Seniors from five area universities will present the results of their historical research at the Student History Research Symposium on Saturday, April 21, at Saint Mary’s University. The event — free and open to the public — is sponsored by the history departments of Winona State University, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Viterbo University, and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. This year’s symposium will also feature a panel of seniors from Cotter High School.

In addition to the student presenters, Dr. J. Vincent Lowery, assistant professor of Humanistic Studies and History at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, will speak on “Looking for the Port City Prophet: An Historian’s Tale of Research and Revisionism.”

Saint Mary’s and Winona State have co-sponsored a student research symposium for 10 years, with UW-La Crosse, Viterbo, and UW-Eau Claire joining in recent years. Each school asks senior history majors — and at Winona State, law and society majors — to write a senior thesis based on their original research of a historical question of their own choosing. In this way, the students actually do the work of historians, and in the process deepen their research, writing and speaking skills.

All symposium sessions will be held on the third and fourth floors of Saint Mary’s Hall. The symposium opens at 9 a.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall (Room 332) with a short welcoming ceremony and coffee. Students will present their research in concurrent panels of three or four students each. The first panel session starts at 9:15 a.m., the second at 10:45 a.m. Dr. Lowery’s talk will start around noon and will be accompanied by a complimentary lunch.

Saint Mary’s invites nonprofits to submit ‘to-do’ lists for ‘Spruce Up Winona Day’

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day,” Saint Mary’s University’s Volunteer Mentors group is inviting Winona nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

Do you need someone to help with your spring cleaning, to rake leaves, to do some painting, or to help with construction? Saint Mary’s University student volunteers will be available to volunteer from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 21, to help local individuals, groups, churches and organizations in recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day.”

Saint Mary’s will supply the workers, if you supply the materials needed (paint, brushes, rakes, tools, etc.). Requests must be made by Saturday, April 14, to Chris McClead at (507) 457-7268 or cmcclead@smumn.edu.

Next Page Series production a retelling of ‘Peter & the Wolf’

WINONA, Minn. — For the final Saint Mary’s University Page Series production of the season, the Pushcart Players will bring the classic tale of “Peter & The Wolf” to life Tuesday, April 17.

The show, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre, is an adaption of the traditional Russian folktale set to music by Sergei Prokofiev. While providing a charming introduction to the world of music and musical instruments, this enchanting tale is all about the adventure of growing up. Danger becomes reality and creative innovation becomes essential as young Peter meets the challenge of survival in the outside world.

This captivating tale, enriched by glorious music and visual effects, will win the hearts of all who view it, while offering a special moment in time for family audiences to share.

Pushcart Players is a dynamic ensemble of professional theatre artists, based in Verona, N.J., well known for tackling difficult issues and bringing them to life in an innovative, lively and accessible way. Recent credits include highly successful performance tours of the former Soviet Union and the Czech Republic, several performances at The White House, and both public and peer recognition through numerous awards for outstanding work in children's theatre. Pushcart is now in its 38th season of producing theatre and arts-in-education programming for young viewers. All productions are accompanied by comprehensive study guides for parents and group leaders; and meet and greet opportunities with the cast follow performances.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Gathering for Peter

A Gathering for Peter is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at the Winona Public Library. Meet the instruments that act as important characters in “Peter and the Wolf.” Area musicians will play selections of the Prokofiev score to be featured during the Page Series performance April 17. Musicians include: Janet Heukeshoven, flute; Kelsey Engesser, clarinet; Jen Welch, bassoon; and Tove Wiggs, violin. Participants can win tickets to the April 17 performance.

Paulson goes out on high note with jazz concert April 13 at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — Dr. John Paulson, directing his final SMU jazz ensemble and jazz combo concert, will go out on a high note 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 13, in Page Theatre. Alumni and friends will join Paulson and SMU jazz students on stage for a special evening of jazz, camaraderie, and celebration.

Paulson has been the music industry program director and director of jazz studies at the university for the past 30 years. Several area alumni will appear with the 18-piece jazz ensemble and Jazz Combo I, which has just returned from a successful tour of Germany. Noted alumni who are slated to perform include guitarists Justin Bell ’99 and Andrew Lund ’85; saxophonists, Ryan Ballanger ’10 and Bob Fisher ’97; and trombonist Brian Zirngible ’98.

The Jazz Ensemble will be playing a wide range of jazz including Chick Corea’s “La Fiesta,” arranged by Michael Philip Mossman; Sammy Nestico’s “Basie Straight Ahead” from Count Basie’s book; the famous ballad “ ’Round Midnight,” arranged by Mike Tomaro and featuring Markeise Russell of Chicagoland on alto sax; and Gordon Goodwin's rowdy tune “The Jazz Police.” Tenor saxophonist Ben Scott of Rochester and trumpeter Tyler Ringeisen will team up as soloists on Duke Jordon’s “Jordu” and Eric Richard’s arrangement of Joe Henderson’s “Recorda Me.”

The 12-piece “Little Big Band,” aka Jazz Combo I, will pull tunes from the repertoire of pieces they performed on their week-long trip to Germany over spring break. Various alumni will sit in on their set, as well as with the jazz ensemble.

Dr. Paulson’s retirement plans include teaching saxophone, jazz improvisation and various other courses as an adjunct instructor, as well as focusing on his own groups and compositions. The year 2012-13 will mark the debut of the John Paulson Big Band with a concert, funded by a $5,000 grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Nov. 17, 2012 at the Winona Art Center. The John Paulson Big Band will also be featured with the Twin Cities-based Hornheads as part of the Page Series on Feb. 14, 2013. More information can be found at www.paulsonjazz.com and www.pagetheatre.org.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and are available at the Box Office, (507) 457-1715 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.