Roseville String Ensemble Presents Free Concert Sunday Afternoon

The Roseville String Ensemble will present a free spring concert, "String Magic," at 3:30 p.m. Sunday April 21 at Concordia Academy, 2400 N. Dale St., Roseville.

Linda Owen, co-founder and president-elect of the String Ensemble, told Roseville Patch the concert will be one of the group's most varied and  far-ranging shows with "truly something for everyone!"

Featured artists include Minnesota Orchestra violinist Aaron Janse, who will perform Tartini's "Devil's Trill," and elementary school orchestra students from the Mounds View Schools.

Jazz pianist JoAnn Funk and drummer Nathan Norman will accompany the orchestra on Duke Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore."

Also on the program are works by Handel and Alberto Williams. James Hainlen and Christopher Jannings will conduct. Attendees can "Meet the Music" in a pre-concert talk at 3 p.m.

Admission is free, although donations are welcome. For more information go to www.rosevillestrings.org.

Funding for the concert is made possible through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council

"Two of our members, Deb Dietzman and Kendra Kauppi, got us a grant from the Metro Regional Arts Council to involve north suburban kids in a concert," Owen said.  "The North Suburban Kiwanis provided additional financial support.

"Conductor Jim Hainlen helped recruit teachers and helped arrange visits to three Mounds View elementary schools by our violin soloist, Aaron Janse," Owen added.

"Other connections led us to jazz musicians JoAnn Funk and Nathan Norman, who will perform Ellington with us. Larry Neumann from the Century College Jazz Ensemble came out to coach us on swing style," Owen said. "Steven Marking, a wonderful local baritone, is serving as our MC. Chris Jannings, the RAHS (Roseville Area High School) orchestra director, will conduct us in a wonderful piece featuring Argentine dance rhythms. "