Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

KSMQ Public Television is working alongside the MacPhail Center for Music to create and produce a television special to be called “Connections and Transformations.” 

KSMQ will premiere this half-hour special at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday May 23, followed by an encore presentation at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday May 27. The program will also be distributed to a statewide audience on The Minnesota Channel.

“Connections and Transformations” was developed by Mischa Santora, the MacPhail Center for Music’s Spotlight Series Artistic Director. Santora resides in Boston where he serves as Music Director for the Boston Ballet and is also a much sought-after orchestra conductor.

“After meeting with Mischa and hearing his vision for a television program, I was on board right away,” said Eric Olson, KSMQ President and CEO. “This will be a special partnership and a wonderful opportunity to highlight the MacPhail Austin campus before a wider audience.” 

The MacPhail Center for Music, founded in Minneapolis over 100 years ago, is one of the nation’s most respected community-based music education centers. The school has a site in Austin–the only MacPhail facility located outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. 

“We are excited to join with KSMQ as a strong partner in changing lives,” said Cheryl Berglund, MacPhail Austin Site Director. “This production represents the work that has taken place during the past 6 years of MacPhail becoming part of the Austin community.”

The theme for “Connections and Transformations” was inspired by the construction of the new MacPhail building in Austin. This special will feature modern interpretations of Classical songs like “The Swan” by Camille Saint–Saëns and “Goin’ Hom”e by Antonín Dvořák. Performers from both the Austin and Minneapolis campuses will be featured.