College instructors bring classical music to Austin

The classical composition group Trio Pastiche aims to please the public at Westminster Presbyterian this Sunday.

The trio of musicians aren’t just hobbyists, they teach music at the Catholic, artistic-centered College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University near St. Cloud, Minn. The longtime musicians and teachers who play in a large orchestra formed their own group years ago, and they’re preparing to release their first album in 2012. Austinites will get a chance to hear that album 7 p.m. this Sunday, as Trio Pastiche will play those songs it plans to record next year.

The three musicians/instructors — Bruce Thornton, David Arnott and Ed Turley — are touring as many churches and venues as they can hit to brush up before their recording.

“We’re just trying to perform as much as possible before we record,” Thornton said.

But they shouldn’t be rusty by any means. Thornton said the trio won’t disappoint with its mixture of classical songs from Mozart, Gordon Jacob, Libby Larsen and João Guilherme Ripper.

“When we played in Grand Forks, they thoroughly enjoyed it,” Thornton said.

He added, “We basically do an entirely wide variety of music for every concert.”

And the trio couldn’t have picked a better church venue, as we Westminster is big on musical talents, from its own members to outside performers.

“It’s kind of a natural fit for us, and we’re looking forward to having them,” said the Rev. Michael Olmsted.

Thornton will play the clarinet, Arnott will feature the viola and Turley will be on the piano. The show is free and open to the public.