Sat. May 12, 2012, 7:30pm at Mayflower Church, U.C.C., Minneapolis

7:00 p.m. preconcert talk with Steve Heitzeg

Sun. May 13, 2012, 4:00pm at White Bear Lake Unitarian Universalist Church, Mahtomedi

3:30 p.m. preconcert talk with Steve Heitzeg

Join Singers in Accord in expressing gratitude for the Earth, its beauty and its sustenance in their spring concert, "Sing with the Earth." The chorale will present Earth-themed songs and poems featuring five Minnesota composers, under the passionate direction of collaborating director, Nancy Grundahl.

Nationally renowned Emmy Award-winning composer Steve Heitzeg will present pre-concert talks 30 minutes prior to each performance about his Earth-focused composing and his advocacy for the "peaceful coexistence of all species through music."

"We invite you to join us in not only singing with the Earth, but also listening TO the Earth as we contemplate the future," says Grundahl. "Choral pieces of contrasting colors, textures, rhythms and meters express the intricacy, fragility and beauty of the Earth and its creatures. The powerful works of many fine poets have inspired the creation of this music and remind us of our relationship with the Earth."

The concert will encompass all styles--classical, ethnic, jazz and contemporary, including selections from Paul Winter's "Missa Gaia" or Earth Mass, celebrating the whole Earth as a sacred space.

Both concerts are FREE - all ages are welcome!

Nancy Grundahl is the conductor of three choirs in the Minneapolis area: the Angelica Cantanti Concert Choir (youth choir), the Riverside Singers of Augsburg College (women's choir) and the Mayflower Church Adult Choir. Over 70 of her compositions and arrangements for these treble and mixed choirs have been put into print by such publishers at Santa Barbara, Alliance, Hal Leonard and Augsburg Fortress and are performed around the country. She is active as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor, and has conducted numerous ACDA honor choirs.

Her work with choirs draws upon her experience as a solo singer and voice teacher. As a soprano soloist, she has appeared in recitals and concerts throughout the area, and has taught voice at St. Olaf College. Her exploration of vocal techniques for beautiful singing is a focus of her teaching and conducting.