Harstad and Haydn
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New conductor leads Minnesota Valley Chorale into spring performance
ric Harstad has been officially named the conductor of the Minnesota Valley Chorale. The Hutchinson music teacher and doctoral candidate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln assumed interim duties last year in the wake of Rod Urtel’s retirement into the singing section of the Chorale. He’ll kick off his official role on April 6 and 7 when the MN Valley Chorale performs Haydn’s Mass in G “Sancti Nicolai” as well as other selections. The Chorale will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra and keyboard. Performances are 7:30 p.m. on April 6 at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato; and 3 p.m. on April 7 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato. Tickets are available at the door for $15 ($12 for students and seniors). Harstad, who has agreed to conduct for the next two seasons, described the Haydn selection as tuneful and varied. “It’s the kind of thing people will like the first time they hear it,” he said.
The Mankato Magazine caught up with Harstad for a few more questions before the Minnesota Valley Chorale takes the stage: Mankato Magazine: What qualities distinguish the Minnesota Valley Chorale? Eric Harstad: The leadership within the group and the collaborative effort of members. I’m the conductor, but I’m not everything. And that’s unique. Other groups might have a conductor and someone who is a go-getter — but what happens when they step away, or get sick? We are group-led, not conductor-led. Over time, that’s helped the group gain a lot of survivability. Also, I think we have a unique repertoire of great choral literature that is often not performed. I think we bring something to the area no one else does. MM: What do you hope the audience finds in your upcoming concert? EH: One thing I hope they find is variety. ... The pieces we are performing demand more soloistic
tone with more color and freedom. Some require more vigorous singing, and other pieces explore more gentle tones. It’s like the difference between playing hockey and throwing someone into the boards, and threading a needle. It’s easy to allow a group to have one tone. But we don’t want to have one generic tone. I think that’s something we are working on and having success with. MM: What’s the most moving musical experience you’ve ever had? EH: Oh, I’ve had a lot. Usually, they’ve involved choral music. I did shed a couple tears at the U2 concert at the Target Center. But that was ultimately a big singalong with a definite spiritual element. Singing with the Dale Warland Singers, I’ve had a number of moments. One time we sang the Stephen Paulus piece “The Old Church,” that just seemed to be one of those magical nights. We were all feeling something together. You only get moments like that when it’s live. M
Literary quick hits:
Vatican release, Hanel debut, Good Thunder wraps up • The timing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s resignation couldn’t have been better for Mankato native John Thavis. Thavis, a longtime reporter and bureau chief for the Catholic News Service, released his Vatican tell-all, “The Vatican Diaries,” in February, just weeks after the announcement of Benedict’s resignation. His book has since been reviewed in newspapers and magazines across the country, vaulting into the top 16 of the New York Times Bestseller list for hardcover fiction by mid-March. Kirkus Reviews called it “irreverent and revealing.” The USA Today praised it as a “well-reported story” that is more journalism than sensationalism. For more, www.johnthavis.com
“Digger O’Dell” and cheerfully embraced his role. The title of her book was Digger’s chosen motto. Hanel has a number of release events scheduled in the area. For more, see this month’s events calendar on page 28, or visit www.rachaelhanel.com. (Disclosure: Hanel has appeared as a columnist for Mankato Magazine.) • Minnesota State University’s Good Thunder Reading Series wraps up its 31st season with a pair of events in April. — Poet Kris Begalk and fiction writers Thomas Maltman and Scott Wrobel will visit on April 11. Craft talk will be held 3 p.m. in MSU’s Ostrander Auditorium. Reading is 7:30 p.m. in Centennial Student Union room 253.
• Madison Lake writer Rachael Hanel’s debut publication “We’ll Be the Last Ones to Let You Down” will be released this month by the University of Minnesota Press. In the memoir, Hanel explores her childhood as the daughter of a gravedigger, a man who styled himself
— MSU faculty Geoff Herbach and Diana Joseph will participate in the faculty residency April 25. Craft talk will be held 3 p.m. in MSU’s Ostrander Auditorium. Reading is 7:30 p.m. in Centennial Student Union room 253. All events are free and open to the public. M MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2013 • 13