Music in bloom: Two spring concerts coming up at M State

M State is setting the spring season to music with two April concerts that highlight student and community musicians and span styles from classical to classic rock.

The first concert, scheduled for Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m., is the annual M State Spring Band and Choir Concert. The afternoon program brings together the college’s Voice Ensemble and Concert Band for a song-filled celebration of reflection and renewal. The second event, a Spring Extravaganza Concert on Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m., brings M State student musicians together with the Lakes Area All‑Stars Band for an evening of fun and familiar classic rock.

Both concerts will be held in Legacy Hall on the M State Fergus Falls campus.

“These performances give students the opportunity to connect with and uplift audiences through very different musical styles,” says Laura Quaintance, M State choir director and music faculty member. “Whether it’s a traditional concert setting or a rock‑and‑roll collaboration, these spring concerts reflect the hard work of our students and the joy of making music together.”

At the Spring Band and Choir Concert, the Voice Ensemble will present a selection of timeless works that celebrate the human spirit, including “My Heart Be Brave,” by Marques L.A. Garrett, which emphasizes perseverance and inner strength, and “Northwest Passage,” by Z. Randall Stroope, a musical set inspired by the rivers and prairies of the American Northwest.

The choral program will be followed by an energetic instrumental set by the M State Concert Band, highlighted by Gustav Holst’s “First Suite in E-flat.” Written in 1909, this influential three-movement work helped establish the wind band as a serious concert ensemble and continues to move audiences with its bold fanfares, lyrical melodies and spirited finale.

The April 23 Spring Extravaganza will include performances by several M State student groups, including the Concert Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Beginning Guitar Class and additional small ensembles that represent the breadth of musical opportunities at M State. The lineup highlights the progress and dedication of students from a range of musical backgrounds, offering audiences an engaging mix of styles and sounds.

The second half of the Spring Extravaganza will feature the Lakes Area All-Stars Band, a group of 14 area musicians playing classic rock hits from the 1970s and ’80s. Several M State music students will join the All-Stars on stage for select songs, creating a collaborative performance by students and community members.

Tickets to each concert are $12 in advance and $15 at the door for adults, and $5 for children under 18. M State students and staff get in free with their college ID. Advanced tickets are encouraged, as limited seating will be available. 

Tickets may be purchased online at mstate.universitytickets.com or at the Fergus Falls Campus Store by calling 218.736.1556 or visiting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 

Visit minnesota.edu/fine-arts for more information about fine arts events at M State.