Dr. Bethel Balge (Music, Piano) together with Mankato native Peter McGuire are teaming up to present the first-ever ProMusica Minnesota summer music festival in Bethany’s Trinity Chapel. Balge teaches piano at both Bethany and Martin Luther College. McGuire is the principal second violinist for the Minnesota Orchestra. Balge is also a distinguished concert pianist and has performed with the Russian Voronezh Philharmonic and for a live Minnesota Public Radio special.
The goal of the Festival is to provide a venue for classical music in southern Minnesota during a time of year that is normally lacking for concerts. The festival will present chamber music featuring emerging young artists as well as established musicians. The lineup will include some of the some the greatest works classical music has to offer.
Other performers include New Zealand native Richard Belcher, founder of the Grammy-nominated Enso String Quartet, and orchestral performer and recording artist Cecilia Belcher, as well as cellist Leonardo Altino, soprano Jenny Haugen, and violist Seifei Cheng.
ProMusica’s inaugural events will take place June 16-21, 2019, in the beautiful and acoustically vibrant Trinity Chapel on the campus of Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato.
The schedule includes:
- Inaugural Recital, Sunday, June 16 at 3 p.m.
- Emerging Young Artist Recital, Monday, June 17 at 7 p.m. (free admission)
- Circle of Friends, Wednesday, June 19 at 7 p.m.
- C Minor Moods, Friday, June 21 at 7 p.m.
A complete description of the performers and performances can be seen at on the festival website where you’ll also find information about how to purchase a festival pass online. The pass allows holders to attend all four concerts. Tickets will also be available for individual performances at the door.