Bethany Lutheran College Professor of Music Benjamin Faugstad, together with others from the campus, are hosting seventy high school musicians from four states for a weekend of top-level instrumental instruction and performance. The students representing fifteen high schools arrive at Bethany on Friday afternoon, November 15. The students will stay on the Bethany campus with hosts from the BLC student body.
Nominated by their high school band directors for participation at the event; the students are among the top musicians at their respective high schools.
The program kicks off with a rehearsal beginning at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon. The activities conclude with a 4 p.m. concert on Saturday, November 16. The public is invited to the concert which is free and open to all.
In addition to rehearsals with the seventy musicians, several Bethany instrumental studio music instructors along with area music professionals, will be teaching instrument sectionals during the event.
It won’t be all work for the students. As part of the experience, they will be introduced to the Bethany Theatre Program while taking in the production of The Spiritual Tragedy of Dr. Faustus, and they will also hear a live performance of Faugstad’s jazz group, Blue River Combo. The combo is an ensemble Faugstad founded last year and plays drum for.
The fifteen schools represented are the event are:
- Iowa: South Hardin, Lake Mills
- Minnesota: Cleveland, Glencoe-Silver Lake, Glenville-Emmons, Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, Madelia, Mankato East, Mankato West, Nicollet, Minnesota Valley Lutheran, St. Croix Lutheran
- South Dakota: Sioux Falls Lutheran
- Wisconsin: Northland Lutheran, Winnebago Lutheranins