St. Olaf Orchestra presents annual family concert
The St. Olaf Orchestra, conducted by Associate Professor of Music Chung Park, will present its annual Family Concert on Sunday, November 12, at 3:30 p.m. in Skoglund Auditorium. It will be streamed and available for on-demand viewing online.
The free concert — geared specifically toward young listeners — is a heartwarming tradition that attracts families from Northfield and beyond. Music featured in the program will educate children about classical music, get families dancing, and take audiences to a galaxy far, far away. A favorite highlight of the concert will also continue: children up to age 13 can enter a contest to conduct the award-winning St. Olaf Orchestra all by themselves.
This year’s concert is titled “Welcome to the Dance!” and features a diverse repertoire that is sure to get audience members out of their seats and moving. Anne von Bibra, associate professor of practice in dance, will instruct families in how to waltz, and the orchestra will perform works by Strauss, Rossini, Copland, a medley from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, and more.
Last year was Park’s first time conducting the family concert, and he oversaw a competition among instrument sections and delighted young (and old) Harry Potter fans with an appearance dressed as Severus Snape. Watch last year’s St. Olaf Orchestra Family Concert below.
Founded in 1906, the 92-member St. Olaf Orchestra has been heralded as one of the finest collegiate orchestras in the country. In 2019 the ensemble made its Carnegie Hall debut, performing the Sibelius Violin Concerto with renowned violinist Sarah Chang. Later that year, the ensemble won The American Prize in Orchestra Performance and toured Norway with the St. Olaf Choir.