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ROCHESTER,
MN - The
sounds of Norway, Sweden and the Shetland Islands are coming to Rochester and
surrounding communities via a week-long residency from an acclaimed trio of
fiddlers named THE NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC.
THE
NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC will spend the week (February 29 through March 4) in our
local and surrounding elementary schools and libraries in a series of free
performances, shedding some light on the music and history of traditional
Scandinavian culture; all leading up to a full-length ticketed concert at the
Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall on March 5.
ABOUT THE ARTIST(S):
THE NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC is Olav Luksengård Mjelva, Anders Hall and
Kevin Henderson who come from Norway, Sweden and the Shetland Islands
respectively, which has some of the richest fiddling traditions in the world as
well as many well documented historical links going back hundreds of years. They
are three of the finest young fiddlers currently working in the folk music
scene and are in great demand playing in various musical constellations
throughout the world. They have blended three individual styles from these
three Nordic regions but still allow their three distinct flavors to come
through in a sound that is unique, meaningful, intense and invigorating. The
project is the brainchild of Anders Hall who felt that combining the three
unique distinctive fiddle styles together would create a special sound. Anders
hunch proved to be correct after first exchanging musical thoughts with each
other in Voss in May 2009. From the first note that was played they realized
this was a collaboration that had to continue such was the feeling of
excitement and respect for each other’s playing and traditions.
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ARTIST-IN-THE-SCHOOLS
RESIDENCY PROGRAM:
In celebration of national Music In Our
Schools Month® (MIOSM®), THE NORDIC
FIDDLERS BLOC will spend the week (February 29 through March 4) in our local
and surrounding elementary schools. Part of Riverside Concerts'
Artist-In-the-Schools Residency program which brings world-renowned artists
directly to our young people while at school. With General Music and General
Arts classes being dissolved and Band, Orchestra and Choir programs being
pushed out of the curriculum, Riverside Concerts is committed, by way of our
mission, to continue to bring artists to the local schools that will not only
spark an interest in musical performance, but also to plant a seed that will
help solidify our young people's future as ongoing arts patrons. This program
builds community and camaraderie among the students while teaching them the
history of different cultures and those cultures' forms of musical art. Brought
to you by Arts Midwest, the Mayo Clinic, the Friends of Riverside Concerts, and
Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust.
School Schedule:
Monday, February 29 - 10:00 AM - Sunset Terrace Elementary School (Rochester)
Monday, February 29 - 1:45 PM - Wabasha-Kellogg Elementary School
Tuesday, March 01 - 9:46 AM - Rushford-Peterson Elementary School
Tuesday, March 01 - 2:00 PM - Folwell Elementary School (Rochester)
Wednesday, March 02 - 9:30 AM - Fillmore Central Elementary School
Wednesday, March 02 - 2:00 PM - Bamber Valley Elementary School (Rochester)
Thursday, March 03 - 9:30 AM - Central Intermediate School//Stewartville
Performing Arts Center
Thursday, March 03 - 1:20 PM - Gage Elementary School (Rochester)
Friday, March 04 - 9:30 AM - Ben Franklin Elementary School (Rochester)
Friday, March 04 - 1:30 PM - Zumbrota-Mazeppa Elementary School
FREE
CONCERT-PREVIEW LIBRARY TOUR:
The Nordic Fiddlers
Bloc will also embark on a 5-city Southeastern Minnesota library tour featuring
a 60 minute preview of their full-length concert. These mini-concerts are free
and open to the general public. Attend the preview and receive a coupon for 10%
off your ticket order for the full-length performance at the Mayo Civic Center
in Rochester. Part of Riverside Concerts' Cultural Exchange Network which
provides live musical events for citizens of rural communities who might not
otherwise have access to such opportunities. This activity is made possible in
part by a grant provided by the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, through an
appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National
Endowment for the Arts. Brought
to you by Arts Midwest, the Mayo Clinic, the Friends of Riverside Concerts, and
Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust.
Monday,
February 29 - 7:00
PM - Lake City Public Library
Tuesday,
March 01 - 7:00
PM - Dodge Center Public Library
Wednesday,
March 02 - 7:00
PM - Austin Public Library
Thursday,
March 03 - 7:00
PM - Harmony Public Library-JEM Theatre
Friday,
March 04 - 7:00
PM - Cannon Falls Public Library
CAPSTONE
CONCERT:
The week concludes
with a full-length concert featuring THE NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC at the Mayo Civic
Center Presentation Hall on Saturday, March 5 at 7:30 PM. Brought to you by
Arts Midwest, the Mayo Clinic and Charter Communications.
Single tickets are $26 and can be purchased at Riverside Concerts in City Hall,
the Mayo Civic Center and all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone through
Riverside Concerts at (507) 328-2200 or (800) 657-3980, or through Ticketmaster
at (800) 745-3000. Riverside Concerts Box Office hours are Monday
through Friday, 9am to 4pm. Tune in to Government Channel 180 for a sneak
preview airing daily at 7am, 12 noon, 6pm and 11pm. For more information, call (507) 328-2200 or (800)
657-3980 or visit us online at www.riversideconcerts.com.
This
presentation is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts
Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional
contributions from Minnesota State Arts Board, the Crane Group and General
Mills Foundation.
Brought to you by the
Friends of Riverside Concerts with additional support provided by the Mayo
Clinic. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through
a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative
appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund. This activity
is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts
Board Operating Support Grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the
arts & cultural heritage fund. This project is made possible in part
through funding from the Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust.
Riverside Concerts is pleased to accommodate
individuals with disabilities. Please contact the music department at 507-328-2201 (TTY 1-800-627-3529)
five working days prior to the event you plan to attend if you require a
special seating assignment, sign language interpreter, audio describer,
assistive listening device or written materials in an alternative format (large
print, Braille, computer disk, etc.)
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