Area music lovers take delight in listening to the sounds of the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

Thursday, July 20, 2000

Area music lovers take delight in listening to the sounds of the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

Having recently completed its 43rd year, ASO is made up of amateur musicians, students and local teachers.

During its annual Christmas concert on Dec. 10, residents of Austin and surrounding communities may notice something new about the symphony.

It will include children.

The children’s choir will perform an original composition by former Austin resident and composer Daniel Kallman.

Steve Ramsey, director of ASO’s project, discussed the creation of the children’s choir.

"At any given concert, if you want to present a chorus along with the orchestra, it helps to defray cost," Ramsey said. "It is all for the symphony; it presents an attractive and worthy program."

Sonia Larson, director of the children’s chorus, stated that while rehearsals will not begin until school is back in session, she will be looking for students in grades 4-6 specifically.

"It will be a lot of fun, but more complicated than singing off the cuff," Larson said.

She said that while a music background is not necessary, it’s helpful, as Kallman’s work is difficult and challenging.

Larson has directed pieces Kallman has written for adult choirs and orchestras, calling his work "beautifully crafted."

Kallman’s piece was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, or SEMAC, for the creation of an original work.

Cynthia Lett, grants program coordinator for SEMAC, explained how the grant came about.

It’s a year-round contest, Lett said, with four award periods.

Those interested must submit a grant application by the April 1 deadline.

Upon submission, the applications then are given to a voluntary board of professionals in various fields such as arts and music to look over. They examine each application individually based on need, ability and merit.

"Whoever ranks the highest gets the grant," Lett said.

Lett said the ASO has been funded quite a few times in the past, including a $4,000 general operating grant during the last award period .

"They’ve been doing a good job," she said. "They’re quite competitive."

Kallman was commissioned to compose a new piece of work for the symphony, something Ramsey was happy to speak about.

Dan is well-known for children’s pieces, he said.

"It’s a very special thing for the orchestra (performing this new work)," Ramsey said. "It’s part of a cycle of life."

Kallman discussed the role music has played in his life.

"My father was a band director up until seven years ago," he said. "I kind of grew up with it."

Graduating from Luther College in 1974 with a degree in music, Kallman has worked with the ASO before.

In 1991, he wrote a piece for its 35th anniversary entitled "Heritage Revisited."

While a lot of the music he writes is choral, Kallman said that he receives the most commissions for children’s music.

"One of my biggest joys in life is hearing children sing," he said.

Larson, who knew Kallman while they were students at the University of Minnesota, is looking forward to hearing his work.

"He’s a master at writing," she said. "He always had wonderful ideas about music."