Spring Orchestra Concert

St. Francis Music Center String Orchestras Present Spring Concert

St. Francis Music Center proudly presents “Postcards from Around the World,” featuring the St. Francis String Orchestras and the St. Francis Brass Ensemble. This concert will be on Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel on the Franciscan Sisters campus in Little Falls. Join the orchestras and brass ensemble for a delightful evening of music from around the world!

The St. Francis Sonata Orchestra is the first orchestra experience for players. They will entertain you with fun pieces such as Tinga Layo, a West Indies folk song and Arroz con Leche, a Latin American folk song. This group fosters the growth and development of young string players, adding to their love of music and preparing them to move up into the Maestoso Orchestra.

The Maestoso Orchestra will present a variety of global music including Ai Hai Yo (Chinese Folk Song), Rhythms of Africa, Deep River (African American spiritual), and Guantanamara (Cuban Folk Song). There will also be a very special performance of Dona Nobis Pacem, arranged by David Gouker, the director of the St. Francis Brass Ensemble.

The St. Francis Chamber Orchestra, directed by Amanda Jansen, will perform the beautiful Die Moldau, Lord of the Dance and Postcards from Russia. This small chamber group is made up of advanced string players.

Also featured will be the St. Francis Brass Ensemble playing The Turtle Dove (a Somerset folk song), Seven good-humored variations on a Ukrainian folksong, and Ukuthula, meditation on a Zulu peace song.

The St. Francis string concerts are a community favorite; all ages will enjoy this free concert—the first in-person concert in the Sacred Heart Chapel on the campus of the Franciscan Sisters in over two years. Masks and temperature screening required for all audience members. All are welcome!

The String Orchestras are supported by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and by the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls. For more information, please call the Music Center at (320) 632-0637.