Photo by Benji Inniger, courtesy of ProMusica Minnesota
From the intimate power of live performances to unique community partnerships, discover how chamber music nourishes both the soul and the community. I share my incredible experience with ProMusica Minnesota, a world-class chamber music ensemble in Southern Minnesota. Hear tips on attending these transformative concerts and how joining a music organization’s board can make a meaningful difference. Explore how music connects, inspires, and gives back in more ways than one!
I’m Mindy Peterson, host of Enhance Life with Music podcast, where we explore the ways music makes our lives better. And this is Microhance, a micro-dose of musical enhancement.
If you follow me on social media, you may have seen my recent posts about upcoming concerts by ProMusica Minnesota (ProMusica). ProMusica offers world class chamber music to its Southern Minnesota community. I connected with its Artistic Director, Bethel Balge, through my job at Schmitt Music (the area Steinway dealer); and attended my first ProMusica concert back in the spring. I was blown away by the quality of the music, which was performed by Bethel on the piano, and a couple string instrument members of the world-class Minnesota Orchestra. AND I was reminded of how powerful it is to experience this quality of music up close and personal. Chamber music is music played by a small ensemble, and ProMusica’s concerts are performed in intimate venues that provide that up-close-and-personal view of every musician wrist movement and expression, and every nuance of sound vibration coming from the individual instruments. This experience offers a connection between the audience and the music – and the audience and the performers – that is completely different than a large venue experience. Don’t get me wrong, the large venues have their joys and perks as well; but it is truly unique and powerful to experience the up-close impact of the music and the athleticism and skill of the performers. It’s like experiencing the music in its purest form. These smaller ensembles and venues often offer an after-event meet-and-greet with the musicians. ProMusica does this, and it’s just one more value-added personalization perk.
The spring concert I attended was the last of that ProMusica season, and I knew I needed to come back for more! Not only did I purchase a season pass for the upcoming season, but I also joined the ProMusica board! This past Sunday was the first concert of the new season, which brings me to today’s tips.
Tip 1: Yes, attend a chamber music performance (preferably in an intimate venue) and sit as close as you can. Notice the difference in an up-close experience of every sonic and visual nuance and detail. If you’re anywhere near Minnesota, I highly recommend ProMusica MN and have links in the show notes to their concerts. Most are in New Ulm, but there are a couple other options as well.
Tip 2: Join a board! Whether you’re a passionate music lover or someone looking to make a meaningful difference in your community, serving on the board of a music organization offers a unique opportunity to combine your love for music with advocacy and leadership. In a world with a loneliness epidemic, you’ll have a direct hand in preserving and promoting an art form that connects people in a personal and intimate way. As a board member, you help ensure these performances reach new audiences and thrive in today’s fast-paced world. And YOU’ll have the chance to connect and network with a diverse group of professionals. From musicians and artistic directors to community leaders and donors, you’ll collaborate with individuals who share your passion but bring different skills and perspectives.
And let’s not forget the joy of supporting artists. By being involved in governance, strategic planning, and fundraising, you’re directly impacting musicians’ livelihoods. You’re ensuring they have the resources they need to perform and create, fostering the arts in a tangible way.
Finally, being part of a music organization board connects you to your community on a deeper level. These groups often host concerts, outreach programs, and educational initiatives that make classical music accessible to all. As a board member, you’re part of that mission, making a real difference in people’s lives.
So if you’re looking for a way to combine your love for music with community service, joining the board of a music organization might be just the giving-back opportunity for you.
As a closing bonus, I just have to mention a few of the innovative ways ProMusica partners with its community and provides a full-spectrum neuroaesthetic experience:
- First of all, ProMusica has collaborated with the city of New Ulm on an initiative to promote music and movement, called “ProMusica in Motion”. Again, if you follow me on social media, you may have seen my posts about this: ten musical signs were recently placed in parks and other key landmarks in New Ulm. Each sign includes a QR code linking visitors to live recordings from past ProMusica concerts, encouraging visitors to become acquainted with classical masterpieces while walking or running through the park. One of these parks is right across the street from Martin Luther College, where Sunday’s concert was held. My friend Susan went with me to the concert, and we made sure to arrive early enough to scan the QR code and listen to the music while exploring the park and climbing to the top of the Hermann the Conqueror monument. (I’ll include pictures in the show notes of Susan and me at the park and the beautiful view of the changing leaves from the tip top of the monument. I’ll also include a short video describing this initiative.
2. Refreshments at the post-concert meet-and-greet were provided by Sweethaven Tonics, a local purveyor of craft cocktail and mocktail tonics. And local winery Morgan Creek Vineyards has partnered with ProMusica in multiple ways, including raffling several season passes.
3. In addition to combining music with nature, movement, and taste buds, ProMusica brought in the olfactory sense. Courtesy of local Top Hat Candle Co., all ProMusica season passes come with a hand-dipped candle that includes a QR code on the lid to listen to ProMusica’s recorded music.
My friend Susan, who attended the concert with me, was blown away by the collective experience; and after the concert she changed her single concert ticket to a season pass (and received a candle). As we got in the car to drive home afterward, Susan said that her strongest impression of the musical experience was how nourishing it was. Shortly after making that comment, she removed her candle from the gift bag to unscrew the lid and check out the fragrance. She laughed – on the lid under the QR code was ProMusica’s logo followed by the words “Nourish. Educate. Inspire.” Mission accomplished!
There are so many ways to experience – and support – nourishing music. I admit that we are incredibly fortunate in our community to have ProMusica Minnesota. I hope that hearing this story of one chamber music experience inspires you to find – or support, or start – nourishing music in your community, whether as a patron, board member, local business, or in some other innovative way. If you do so, I would love to hear about it.
You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, X, or LinkedIn.
I’m Mindy Peterson, and I hope this inspires you to enhance your life with music.
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