Bemidji students and singers perform at the 2nd annual Oratorio Night

BEMIDJI — The second annual Oratorio Night in Bemidji is more than just a community singing concert. It is also a rare opportunity for Bemidji State graduates to conduct Baroque music, including Vivaldi’s “Gloria.”

Seventeen Master candidates, along with members of the Bemidji Chorale, two professional soloists, community singers, and a professional orchestra, will participate in the event at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, in the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex Concert Hall.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for our graduate students,” said James Bowyer, associate professor of music at BSU and organizer of the event. “They’re getting to learn a really outstanding repertoire. This is very exciting for these students because most graduate schools don’t offer the opportunity to conduct a professional orchestra.”

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

The Master’s program in Music Education began last year at the BSU with 11 students. This year, six more students started. The three-year Master’s program is completed in intensive one-month summer semesters.

Bowyer was thrilled with the first oratorio night last year, which drew a large crowd, including 30 to 40 parishioners, most of the Bemidji Chorale singers and a sizable audience for Handel’s “Messiah.”

“I hope all of those people come back this year,” Bowyer said. “An event like this is just exciting.”

The evening begins with three oratorios by Handel, one for orchestra and two with soloists, soprano Jennifer Olson from the BSU music department and mezzo-soprano Kimberly Pilo from Los Angeles.

Afterwards, six orchestra master students will conduct the Concerto Grosso in G minor by Arcangelo Corelli.

This is followed by the Vivaldi piece, conducted by 11 students pursuing a Master’s degree in choral music.

The evening ends with another sing-along piece, Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from “Messiah”.

Anyone who would like to sing is invited to attend the optional rehearsals on Monday 8 July and Wednesday 10 July from 7:00pm to 9:15pm in Bangsberg Hall. Sheet music will be provided, but singers are welcome to bring their own sheet music.

The concert, sponsored by the BSU Music Department, is free and open to the public.

Dennis Doeden, former editor of the Bemidji Pioneer, is a feature reporter. He holds a degree in communications management from Metropolitan State University.