The Minot Symphony Orchestra presents an evening of entertainment for the whole family at the upcoming concert, “Decomposing Composers”, celebrating composers both dead and alive. The concert will take place on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at MSU’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall starting at 6:30pm with a pre-concert lecture and instrument petting zoo. The concert will begin at 7:30pm.

“Living composer Nathaniel Stookey’s piece, The Composer is Dead, with text by Lemony Snicket, will delight patrons of all ages. The audience will want to dance away with my own piece, Angelica, which was inspired by the tales of Charlemagne. Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration depicts an artist in his deathbed reflecting on his life when at the end he receives the longed-for transfiguration ‘From the infinite reaches of heaven.’ We are delighted to feature the winner of our annual high school soloist competition, Ivana Petrovic who has been playing with us for 2 years,” remarked Music Director Efran Amaya.

Mr. Jay Davis from the Hometown Radio Group, will be the guest narrator for Nathaniel Stookey’s The Composer is Dead, with text by Lemony Snicket. Mr. Davis will tell the story of this perplexing murder mystery where everyone seems to have a motive, everyone has an alibi, and nearly everyone is a music instrument. But the composer is still dead. Audience members will learn the different instruments of the symphony and see if they can figure out, “Who did it?”

Ivana Petrovic, a homeschooled high school senior from the Rugby area, will be the featured soloist performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major. Miss Petrovic was chosen as the winner of our annual high school soloist competition at a live audition held in December. Beginning violin lessons at the young age of 6, Ivana played with the Rugby Civic Orchestra from 2012-2018 and has been a member of the Minot Symphony Orchestra since 2017. Ivana is currently studying with the symphony’s concertmaster, Mr. Jon Rumney and plans to pursue a major in music performance.

“As Ivana’s teacher, I am very happy with her progress. She has been working hard this year, and her playing shows a lot of enthusiasm.” Jon Rumney, Division of Music, Professor of Violin, Minot State University.

Children of all ages will have the chance to get up close and personal with the orchestral instruments they will see be played on stage and an “Instrument Petting Zoo” sponsored by Jacobsen Music from 6pm 7:20 and also during intermission. Dr. Erik Anderson, principal cellist, will help prepare concertgoers for a more complete listening experience with a pre-concert talk beginning at 6:30pm. These pre-concert activities are free with your concert ticket.

The symphony will partner with Arny’s 2.0 for a limited beer and wine beverage service for patrons age 21 and over following the pre-concert lecture as well as during intermission. Funds raised will be used to support future symphony programming.

Don’t miss the Minot Symphony Orchestra’s Family Concert, Decomposing Composers, part of the 2018-2019 concert series, The Magic of Music. Tickets start at $25 for adults with senior and student discounts and can be purchased online at www.minotsymphony.com or call 701-858-4228.

The Minot Symphony Orchestra is a university and community orchestra that has been performing for Northwest North Dakota for over 90 years. A unique blend of student, community, and professional musicians, directed by Maestro Efran Amaya, assistant professor of music at Minot State University.

– Minot Symphony Orchestra