Benji Inniger, Associate Professor of Theatre, has been busy readying a new, commissioned musical composition written for the Mankato Symphony Orchestra. His original work will see its debut as part of the Orchestra’s performance on July 4, 2018, during the City of Mankato’s annual Fourth of July concert and fireworks event.

The piece is called The Next Bend: A River Adventure for Orchestra. According to Inniger, it was written to reflect and underscore Mankato’s connection to the Minnesota River.

Inniger has worked closely with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra’s director, Kenneth Freed, on a variety of projects, and Freed approached Inniger with the idea for the composition in early 2018.

Inniger is looking forward to the event, not only because of the work he put in, but also because of another close, personal connection to the Orchestra. You see his wife Alyssa Inniger, Bethany’s Director of Library Services, is a viola player with the Orchestra.

“I’m thrilled about this opportunity to work with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra. It will be the first time a full orchestra will perform a composition of mine, which I’m quite excited about. And, of course, I’m especially happy that my wife will be a part of the event as well!

The free concert takes place at the Vetter Stone Amphitheatre in Mankato’s Riverfront Park. The gates open at 6 p.m. and the event kicks off at 7 p.m. with Mankato’s own City Mouse band performing. The Orchestra will follow at 8 p.m. Inniger will be invited to the concert stage to take a bow at the conclusion of the composition’s performance.