What does a trumpet player with a bachelor of arts degree in both music performance and composition, a self-created jazz combo, piano skills and orchestral experience do after college? That’s no trick question for one college graduate: He travels to Malaysia.

Jacob Dalager, a recent graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, will perform a recital Sunday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. in an effort to raise funds for an upcoming mission program.

Dalager will leave in late August to spend one year in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia teaching music and English at an orphanage through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission Program.

As a double-music major, he was drawn to the program for the musical experience as well as the mission work.

“For a long time, I’ve wanted to do more mission work,” Dalager said. He has also traveled to India and Colombia with his family to do mission work through Christian organizations.

With uncertain career plans, Dalager sees this as “a really good time” to travel and decide which direction to take his studies. He plans to pursue music, but whether he specializes in composition, performing, recording, teaching — or a combination all of these things — is still undecided.

In Malaysia, Dalager will be “mostly teaching,” but will also have a few opportunities to play his trumpet, possibly in a local marching band.

The mission trip will present at least one new challenge for the recent graduate, though.

“It’s a little bit out of my comfort zone,” Dalager said, speaking of the different culture he will be immersed in. He will have to learn to speak Malay for this trip, a change from his past Spanish-speaking experiences.

Martin Hodel, Dalager’s trumpet instructor at St. Olaf College, seems to think nothing is out of Dalager’s comfort zone.

“He seeks out new and adventurous experiences,” Hodel said.

“I toured Spain and Morocco with him a year ago in June, and Jacob was the one looking for unique and exciting excursions, and leading anyone who could come along.”

Dalager needs to raise a minimum of $4,000, but has a goal of $10,000, which is the total cost of the trip.

Dalager’s main instrument is trumpet, but the recital will feature a variety of musical styles and instruments including jazz, classical and pop styles, along with some of his original compositions. Neal Erickson, Holly Dalager, Anna Dalager and John Jensen are among the other artists to perform on the program.

Dalager will also give a brief presentation on the work he will be doing in Malaysia, and a reception donated by Piggy Blues Bar-B-Que will follow the recital.

There is no cost for the recital, and donations are tax-deductible and can be made out to Dalager’s home congregation, St. Olaf Lutheran Church. If you cannot attend but would still like to contribute to Dalager’s program, send checks to: Jacob Dalager, St. Olaf Lutheran Church, 301 First St. N.W. Austin, MN 55912.