St. Olaf Band Debuts at Llewellyn Hall

FREE - with Eventbrite reservation From January 15—30, 2018.

Classical Movements will present five exciting performances by the world-renowned St. Olaf College Concert Band of Northfield, Minnesota— hailed as “one of America’s preeminent bands,” by The New Yorker—during their first-ever concert tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Led by their conductor, acclaimed composer, and St. Olaf alumnus Dr. Timothy Mahr, the 94-member ensemble's 17-day journey marks its debut in both Australasian countries, after more than a century of international touring.

Their expertly curated program of American and Australian repertoire, dubbed FLOURISH, celebrates Leonard Bernstein's centennial, the film scores of John Williams, Melbourne’s own Percy Grainger, New South Wales native Jodie Blackshaw, and other classic works from the wind band repertoire.

They will be joined on stage in two historic collaborations on this tour.

In Auckland by the West City Youth Concert Band and in Melbourne by the Royal Australian Navy Band.

According to band manager Terra Widdifield: “Founded back in 1891, the St. Olaf Band is noted for its superb musicianship, performing the classics and very best transcriptions for symphonic band in an exciting, crowd-pleasing style.

In New Zealand and Australia, we’re really looking forward to featuring our student soloists, and a good march, along with Dr. Mahr's award-winning composition, The Soaring Hawk.”

Live from Northfield, Minnesota, watch Dr. Mahr conduct his own composition, Bright Side, with the St. Olaf College Concert Band.