Fall 2022

Indigenous Survivance Reception
September 8, 2022
5:00pm in the Art Center, SJU

The Indigenous Survivance exhibit highlights the work of five of Minnesota's premiere Native artists and was curated by Travis Zimmerman '94.

Please join us for an Opening Reception on Thurs, Sept 8 from 5-7pm in the Saint John's Art Center. The reception will begin with a drum circle welcoming visitors. Food and drink will feature traditional Indigenous ingredients. Elder Joe Whitehawk will open the event with a blessing, followed by a blessing from Father Michael Peterson. Curator Travis Zimmerman '94 will share information about the exhibit beginning at 6pm. Supported by ISA and INNR.

More details

Holtkamp-Pasi Organ Dedication Recital
Stephen Tharp, International Concert Organist  (postponed from April 2020 due to COVID)
September 15, 2022
7:30pm in St John's Abbey and University Church

There will be some speaking and background from Michael Barone of NPR “Pipedream”, as well as words from the artist.

A Two Piano Show, faculty recital, Fr. Bob Koopmann, Pianist, with pianist Andi Zdrava
September 22, 2022
7:30pm in the Stephen B Humphrye Theater, SJU

The Hatmaker's Wife
October 13, 2022
7:30pm in the Colman Theatre (BAC), CSB

When a young woman moves in with her boyfriend expecting domestic bliss, their new house reveals the magical tale of its previous inhabitants: an old hat-maker and his long-suffering wife, who runs away with his favorite hat. This sweet and surreal story bends time and space to redefine the idea of family, home, and true love itself. ($5 attendance fee)

Soweto Gospel Choir
October 14, 2022
7:30pm in the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU

Out of the darkness comes a new dawn! This all-new concert by 3-time Grammy®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir commemorates South Africa’s Freedom Movement and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Bringing joy to all, “HOPE” opens with a rousing program of South African freedom songs that inspired their Rainbow Nation. Then the choir’s uplifting performance moves to the United States with beautiful renditions of the music of the Civil Rights Movement,
including works by legendary artists Billie Holiday, James Brown, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield and the one-and-only, Aretha Franklin. Get ready, “HOPE” is a concert that will live forever in your hearts! 

More details/purchase tickets

Jazz Ensemble
October 16, 2022

Orchestra Ensemble
October 16, 2002

Wind Ensemble
October 19, 2002

Chamber Choir
October 21, 2022

Music: Opera Workshop Fascinatin' Rhythms
October 27, 28, 29 at 7:30pm
October 30 at 2:00pm 
All events in Escher Auditorium, CSB

The Great Pumpkin Returns: An Entertainment Event 
October 28, 2022
9:00pm in the Abbey/University Church, SJU

the CSB/SJU Music Department, Saint John’s Abbey, and The Steve Noack Program in Pop Music and Jazz will present a Halloween Extravaganza. Featured performers include:

• The George Maurer Group with vocalist Daniel Greco
• Bob Koopmann on organ and piano
• Organist Samuel Holmberg
• Organists Br. David Klingeman, OSB, and Br. Jacob Berns, OSB.

 Music will include classical and popular organ and piano music, The Phantom of the Opera Theme, Toccata in D Minor, Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns, Jumpin Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones, and I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance (Bing Crosby).

In addition, Fr. Bob will play a few tunes from his youth as a Hammond Organ stylist for games and shows, but performed on the mighty Holtkamp-Pasi pipe organ.

Faculty Recital
October 28, 2022

Organ Virtuoso, Greg Zelek
November 4, 2022
8:00pm in the Abbey/University Church, SJU

Returning for another featured organ concert is the inimitable Greg Zelek! Praised for his “effortless facility on the instrument” (South Florida Classical Review), Greg Zelek is increasingly recognized as one of the most exciting young organists in the American organ scene.

Aquila Theatre Company presents: Pride & Prejudice
November 5, 2022
7:30pm in Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU

Prepare for pinpointed wit, social commentary and delightful dancing as Aquila Theatre Company brings to life Jane Austen’s ultimate romantic comedy. Austen’s beloved classic continues to capture the imagination of audiences today as she humorously skewers the hypocrisies and absurdities of the class system and puts the thoughts and feelings of her women characters front and center.

Aquila is one of the foremost producers of classical theater in the United States, visiting 50+ cities each year. The New Yorker says, “Aquila’s productions are beautifully spoken, dramatically revealing and crystalline in effect.”

More details/purchase tickets

Boys Choir of Montserrat, Spain
November 10, 2022
7:00pm in the Abbey/University Church, SJU

The first part of the Montserrat Boy Choir program will include sacred music from the 14th to 21st centuries by composers associated with Montserrat, including Pablo Casals and Bernat Vivancos. After intermission, the boys will sing folk music from the Catalan region of Spain, where Montserrat is located.

Tiemp Libre
November 11, 2022
7:30pm in Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU

"When you talk about the group, you find yourself moving your hips” – Richmond Times Dispatch. Three-time Grammy® nominees Tiempo Libre are on a mission to share their Afro-Caribbean heritage with as wide an audience as possible. Listen, learn and feel the timba sway of their exhilarating mix of jazz harmonies, contemporary sonorities and seductive Latin rhythms. The seven members of Tiempo Libre grew up together – studying at La ENA, Havana,
Cuba’s rigorous music conservatory by day, while climbing on rooftops with makeshift antennas to catch the sounds of Miami by night. For them, music isn’t just a way of life, it’s a way of experiencing living.

More details/purchase tickets

On the Verge
November 17-20, 2022

Percussion Ensemble
November 21, 2022
6:00pm in Escher Auditorium, CSB

Members of the CSB/SJU Percussion ensemble will perform works by a variety of composers featuring various styles of music and instrumentation. Throughout the performance, audience members will learn about each piece (composer, time period, genre, etc.) as they are introduced, allowing the imagination and discovery of meanings/messages to begin!

Open to the public

Wind, Brass, String Chamber Ensemble
November 21, 2022
7:30pm in Escher Auditorium, CSB

The CSB and SJU Brass Choir, Trombone Choir, Saxophone Quartet, Horn Ensemble, and Tuba/Euphonium Quartet, Viola da Gamba, and String Quartet will perform a concert of music written for chamber ensembles. Works to be performed span numerous musical styles and time periods.

Open to the public.

CSB and SJU Music Department Presents: Christmas with Saint Ben's and Saint John's
December 3, 2022
7:30pm in Abbey/University Church, SJU

The time-honored tradition of Christmas with Saint Ben’s & Saint John’s (formerly Christmas at Saint John’s) returns with a single on-campus performance in the Abbey and University Church at Saint John’s University. Beloved annual pieces to be performed include “The Glory of the Father” (Egil Hovland) and “Personent Hodie” (arr. Lara Hoggard), as well as traditional audience carols. Other exciting repertoire includes “Christus Natus Est” (Rosephanye Powell), “Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain” (Carolyn Jennings); “O Magnum Mysterium” (Cesár Carrillo), and “Antiphon” from “Five Mystical Songs” (Ralph Vaughan Williams). This annual concert celebrates the seasons of Advent and Christmas through traditional and contemporary music.

Participating Ensembles:

• Chamber Choir
• Men's Chorus
• Women's Choir
• The St. John's Boys' Choir
• Brass Choir
• Amadeus Chamber Symphony

*Ticketed event* to purchase tickets follow this link

Jazz Ensemble & Combo
December 6, 2022
7:30pm in Brother Willie's Pub, (Sexton) SJU

Members of the Jazz Ensemble and Combo (made of woodwinds, brass, percussion/rhythm section) will perform a variety of music showcasing different musical stylings of Jazz Music by various composers. Throughout the performance, the director of the ensemble will announce each piece informing the audience of the title, composer and history (genre, musical styles, time period, etc.), creating a starting point to begin their musical journey as they listen, enhancing their over all experience.

Mark O'Connor's An Appalachian Christmas
December 8, 2022
7:30pm in Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU

"All Christmas music should be played so elegantly on violin,” said the Boston Globe. Mark O’Connor’s eclectic combination of jazz, bluegrass and classical influences carries his vision of an American school of string playing. This much-loved holiday performance, accompanied by his wife, Maggie, and son, Forrest – both award-winning instrumentalists in their own rites – fashions a wondrous mix of instrumental and vocal music in bluegrass and other American music genres. The performance is playful and joyous at points, but come prepared – the December winds won’t be the only chills you’ll feel.

More details/purchase tickets

Lightwire Theater presents: A Very Electric Christmas
December 10, 2022
2:00 and 7:00 pm in Escher Auditorium, CSB

Make the season bright with a charming new tale told in vibrant lights, artistic dance and a score filled with holiday-favorite songs. Since you first saw them on America’s Got Talent or TRU TV’S Fake Off, Lightwire Theater has been mesmerizing audiences worldwide with skill, grace and eye-catching light shows. By combining the arts of puppetry, theater and dance, this magical tale of a misguided bird named Max who ends up at the North Pole for Christmas will warm hearts and have the spirit of the season shining through. Bring the whole family for an evening of unforgettable electroluminescent artistry!

More details/purchase tickets

Orchestra Concert
December 11, 2022
1:00pm in Escher Auditorium, CSB

Members of the Orchestra (made of violin, viola, cello, and double bass), will perform a variety of music, showcasing a variety eras, composers, and techniques. Throughout the performance, the director of the ensemble will announce each piece proving the audience with the necessary information to create a starting point to begin their musical journey as they listen and enhance their overall experience.

All-College Choir
December 11, 2022
4:00pm in Great Hall, SJU

This showcase performance, featuring the Chamber Choir, Men’s Chorus, and Women’s Choir, will present works from various composers as a combined choir, and individual choral ensembles. Works performed will present audience members with a holistic/community experience as they learn about the history, genre, and musical stylings of the piece and apply that to their overall listening experience.

Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band
December 12, 2022
7:30pm in Escher Auditorium, CSB

The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band (made of woodwinds, brass, percussion/aux. percussion), will perform works by various composers and musical styles. During the performance, audience members will be able to learn about each piece (composer, history, genre, musical styles, time period) as they are introduced by the ensemble director, creating a starting point to begin their musical journey as they listen, enhancing their overall experience.