Class Notes Artists perform free concerts in southern Minnesota

The Class Notes Concert Series, a community showcase that is part of the YourClassical Class Notes program, is touring southern Minnesota in October. Artists who have performed at partner schools are offering free community concerts in Worthington and in Wabasha.

Son de Cuerdas — which includes cellist Omar Macias, pianist Amos Lucidi and harpist Ada Tzab — presents classical repertoire emphasizing Latin American composers. The trio will play at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Worthington. The concert at the college’s Fine Arts Building (1450 College Way) will be performed in Spanish and English.

The college specifically wanted an ensemble to spotlight during its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Class Notes coordinator Aerin O’Malley said.

“Not only does Son de Cuerdas feature music by Latin composers, they are a bilingual ensemble,” she said. “Worthington has a large Spanish-speaking community, and we thought offering a program in Spanish would be great for their population.”

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, Alma Brasileira — comprising Cléa Galhano on recorder and Joan Griffith on guitar and cavaquinho (a Portuguese string instrument) — will perform various styles of Brazilian music. The concert at Herb + Arrow restaurant (260 W. Main St., Wabasha), has limited seating, so arrive early.

Galhano said the Wabasha audience will hear “different kinds of rhythm/dance and melodies, learn a little bit about history of Brazilian music and its influence of African culture.”

O’Malley said Alma Brasileira was chosen because the music the duo plays is well-suited to the venue.

“They are great for intimate settings,” she said. “They have also done community concerts for us before. Since these concerts were such a fast turnaround from the start of the school year, we wanted to send well-established ensembles. Cléa and Joan have a lot of experience with each other and performing.”

Galhano expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

“What is special is that these communities don’t have too many opportunities to hear Brazilian music, and they love it!” she said.

O’Malley echoed that sentiment about the community concerts.

“Our feedback has been extremely positive,” she said. “We mostly hear how appreciative people in greater Minnesota are for this opportunity. People can expect to hear talented, professional musicianship for free.”

Specifically about the two upcoming concerts, O’Malley said, “Neither of these ensembles feature ‘typical’ instrument pairings, so this will be new exposure for a lot of people.”

The community concerts, she said, highlight what the Class Notes program brings to tens of thousands of students every year: “Accessibility, relevance and a love for music.”