The Music and Fine Arts Series is a gift from Mount Olive’s members and friends to the Twin Cities community. Most often the gift takes the form of music, but painting, sculpture, dance and drama may also be offered. The hope is not just that we might share beauty with those around us, but that God’s presence might also be revealed. The series, in that way, intends to share with our community the powerful blend of art and spiritual insight.

Hymn festivals are often included in the series. Other favorites include Evensong with cantatas, Advent and Lent Procession services and programs featuring organ, voice, brass or string ensembles. A concert by jazz trumpeter Charles Lazarus was a special hit during the 2009-2010 season.

The series depends on support from patrons throughout the Twin Cities. (Contributions of $1,000 for guarantors; $500 for contributors; $250 for sponsors; $100 for supporters and $50 for donors are invited.) Contact Mount Olive to find out how you can financially support the Music and Fine Arts Series.

Mount Olive Lutheran Church
Music and Fine Arts Series 2012–2013

Original Glimpses of World Music
Sunday, October 14, 2012, 4:00 p.m.
Peter Ostroushko, fiddle/mandolin; Dean Magraw, guitar

Peter Ostroushko, a native of northeast Minneapolis, is a versatile musician, composer and performer of a variety of intimate folk style music. Peter has been a frequent performer on A Prairie Home Companion for the past 25 years and for a few seasons worked as music director for the popular radio show. He has done numerous collaborations with musicians such as Bob Dylan, Chet Atkins, Willie Nelson and others. He will be joined by his performing partner, guitarist Dean Magraw. The program will consist of original music composed by either Dean or Peter along with some glimpses into the realm of world music. The concert is free (a free-will offering will be received.) A reception will follow the program.

Sing! Hymns of the Church
Sunday, November 11, 2012, 4:00 p.m.
Alice Parker

The SINGS, led by Alice Parker, have delighted groups throughout the United States and Canada since she started leading them forty years ago. Started as an introduction to her Writing for Voices classes, the concept grew to include church congregations and choirs, then people of all ages and backgrounds who wish to sing together. Some songs are old favorites, and some are totally unfamiliar. The atmosphere is one of delight in making music together and of ease in creating varied sounds. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic of a great mentor of our time! The concert is free and open to the public, and a reception will follow.

Advent Procession Service
Sunday, December 2, 2012, 4:00 p.m.
Mount Olive Cantorei, David Cherwien, director and organist

Join in a contemplative service of lessons and carols for Advent. In the darkest time of the year, we wait. We wait for the Light to be born into our lives. Take time to set apart this season as one of preparation. Experience prayer, Word, incense, choral music, candles and hymnody. Join the procession of those who wait in darkness.

Hymn Festival: "Images of Creation"
Friday, January 18, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
Mount Olive Cantorei, David Cherwien director and organist
Reflections by Paul Westermeyer

As a part of Mount Olive’s annual conference on liturgy, this hymn festival continues the rich tradition started at Mount Olive by the late Paul Manz. Through the creative mingling of spoken reflections, congregational singing, and imaginative and interpretive improvisations on the organ, the voice of God’s people becomes one body, mind and spirit.

Lent Procession Service
Sunday, February 17, 2013, 4:00 p.m.
Mount Olive Cantorei, David Cherwien, director and organist

Join us for another contemplative service of lessons and carols—for Lent! Designed especially for those who serve churches as leaders of such events, this is offered as an opportunity to withdraw from the busyness of life to pray, sing, listen, smell and fully enter into the season of Lent—a time to renew our life as baptized children of God.

The Uptown Brass
Sunday, April 21, 2013, 4:00 p.m. (NOTE REVISED DATE!)

This group of five world renowned brass virtuosos are all members of the Minnesota Orchestra and will present an exciting concert of gorgeous brass sonorities featuring great music music ranging from Bach to Piazolla.

Baroque violinist Marc Levine and harpsichordist Tami Morse have performed at Metropolitan Museum of Art, Yale University and the Boston Early Music Festival. They are founders of Flying Forms, the baroque chamber music ensemble, and in 2011 they created The Baroque Room in downtown St. Paul.

Evening Prayer with Bach Cantata 36: Schwingt freudig euch Empor
Sunday, June 9, 4:00 p.m.
Kathy Romey, conductor; Cantor David Cherwien, organist

Singers (and listeners) gather at Mount Olive in June each year to explore, rehearse, hear and learn about the music of the greatest Lutheran composer, Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach Tage 2013 will delve into Bach’s cantatas for the Advent season, preparing and performing his Cantata 36, Schwingt freudig euch empor during this service of Evening Prayer.

Bach Tage is supported by contributions.

Read more on our Conferences page.

          RIC