Faculty Recital: Michael and Bonnie JorgensenMarch 10, 2019 at 3:30–5 p.m.
The Music Department presents voice professor Michael Jorgensen and pianist Bonnie Jorgensen in concert.
This performance is free and open to the public, no ticket is required.
About the performers:
Dr. Michael Jorgensen's latest performances include bass soloist in Haydn's The Creation with the Clinton, Iowa and Muscatine, Iowa Symphony Orchestras; singing three Wunderhorn Songs by Mahler with the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra; and bass soloist in the Liebeslieder Walzer by Brahms in the Twin Cities Classical Series "Saturday Salons" hosted by Maria Jette.
In 2015 Jorgensen traveled with his wife Bonnie and musician friends to present the music of Norwegian-American composer Theodora Cormontan (1840-1922) at the National Library of Norway in Oslo, where they donated approximately 140 handwritten original musical scores by Cormontan that they rediscovered in 2011. They also performed at the KUBEN museum in Cormontan's hometown of Arendal, as well as giving performances at the Ælvespeilet Concert Hall in Porsgrunn with the classical singers Operagutta and at the Western Norway Emigration Centre north of Bergen. Other venues where the couple have presented Cormontan's music include St. Olaf College; Luther College in Decorah, Iowa; the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis; the Schubert Club in St. Paul; the national convention of the Daughters of Norway in Minneapolis; and the Norwegian-American Historical Association biennial members meeting on the campus of St. Olaf College. The Jorgensens were also featured in a segment on Theodora Cormontan produced by the PBS station KSMQ for their "Off 90" series.
In many years as a bass singer with the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers of Minnesota Jorgensen soloed in world premiere works by composers Francis Grier, Steve Heitzeg, and Libby Larsen, and soloed under conductors John Rutter, Helmuth Rilling, and Nicholas McGegan, as well as singing the solo An die Musikby Schubert on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion.
Michael serves as a Professor of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College where he has taught voice and other music-related courses since 1991.
Bonnie Jorgensen began piano lessons at the age of 4 and continued studying piano until earning a degree in music with an outside major in business administration from Indiana University. After graduation she worked in business as a retail buyer and later as office manager and word processing manager at two different real estate firms and one public accounting firm in the Chicago area.
When her son was born she quit full-time work and began teaching piano. Bonnie taught private piano for 25 years. She has also served as a professional accompanist at Minnesota State University-Mankato, as well as an accompanist at Gustavus Adolphus College and various other community and school venues.
Every year Bonnie accompanies an average of 10 full recitals, plus approximately 40 smaller recitals, college studio classes, festivals and competitions. She works with vocalists and all other instrumentalists including violin, viola, cello, trumpet, euphonium, trombone, tuba, saxophone, clarinet, flute, french horn, marimba/xylophone/vibes, bassoon and oboe.
Bonnie is intricately involved with several music festivals and competitions in southern Minnesota. She has also frequently adjudicated various auditions and festivals.
