On successive evenings next weekend, treat yourself to rousing music for male chorus and the intricate counterpoint of Palestrina and Rheinberger, as two components of the Chorale's education programs come to fruition in this pair of performances.

On Friday, February 19, our Men in Music program presents singers from Como Park, Harding, and Irondale high schools, together with Chorale tenors and basses, at Irondale High School in New Brighton.

And on Saturday, February 20, our Emerging Conductor program culminates in a performance of music from 16th century Italy and 19th century Germany, hosted by Kathy Saltzman Romey and led by University of Minnesota doctoral student Christopher Owen. This concert takes place at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Minneapolis.

Both events begin at 7:30 p.m., and both are free.

Support the next generation of singers and conductors by attending either or both of these performances!

In anticipation of the Chorale's performance of Carmina Burana next month, we're excited to offer an InChoir session devoted to Carl Orff's masterpiece, on Monday evening, February 22 at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis.

No tickets or reservations are required: plan to arrive by 6:45 p.m. to pick up a score and find your place. Rehearsal starts promptly at 7, and the InChoir portion will conclude at 8:30.

Sing side-by-side with Chorale members--or simply sit and listen--for an in-depth look at one of the iconic pieces of the 20th century.

Free parking is available in the church lot. For directions, click here.

And don't forget to order tickets to the March 14 "Carmina" performance at Hopkins High School. Also on the program--presented jointly with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and the Minneapolis Youth Chorus--are Samuel Barber's Second Essay for Orchestra, and Ralph Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music.

Fresh from the release of their first CD and guest appearance with the Sweet Colleens, the members of the Minneapolis Youth Chorus are busy rehearsing for their participation in a youth choral festival.

Hosted by the Twin Cities Youth Chorale, this free concert will take place on Sunday, February 28 at 3 p.m., at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 18500 County Road 101, Maple Grove.