Archive for Al Behrends


Al Behrends is the Director of Fine Arts Programs at Gustavus and has served the College in that capacity since 1986 following work with the Office of Admission and Alumni Affairs. Al is a jazz/swing bassist and a member of The Echoes and Rabbit Road ensembles and plays for the vocal jazz octet The Riverlights. He has served on the boards of the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council (founding member), the Mankato Children's Chorus and was founder and managing director of The Minnesota Valley Sommarfest.

 

Social Justice Theatre Troupe Celebrates 20 Years at Gustavus Nov. 20-22

Gustavus Adolphus College's social justice theatre troupe, I Am, We Are, will celebrate its 20th anniversary Nov. 20-22. Recognized as the oldest student-run social justice theatre troupe in the nation, I Am, We Are will welcome back alumni and community members for the weekend's full slate of events.

Ruhl’s In the Next Room Opens in Anderson Theatre on Thursday

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Gustavus will present its final main stage performance of the year, Sarah Ruhl’s In the Next Room, May 14-16 at 8 p.m. and May 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets for the Anderson Theatre production are available online at gustavustickets.com.

Gustavus Wind Orchestra Preparing for its Winter Concert Tour

The Gustavus Wind Orchestra, the nation's oldest collegiate music ensemble west of the Mississippi, will begin its 137th season with its 2015 Winter Concert Tour in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The tour begins on Feb. 1 in Long Lake, Minn., and ends with its Home Concert in Jussi Björling Recital Hall on Saturday, February 14 at 1:30 p.m. All of the concerts on the tour are free and open to the public.

Gustavus Choir to Embark on Tour to Great Britain and France

The Gustavus Choir, led by Conductor Gregory Aune, will depart for London on January 16 for its first-ever concert tour in Great Britain and France. With eight concerts over 16 days, the Choir will present its 2015 program in some of the finest concert venues and cathedrals in Europe.

Gustavus Honor Band Expands for 2014 Festival

The Annual Gustavus Honor Band Festival and Concert at Gustavus Adolphus College will celebrate its 26th year on Nov. 2-3, with the arrival of more than 230 high school musicians from 58 high schools in Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin and South Dakota. The festival concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3 in Christ Chapel.

Gusties To Shine at Minnesota Fringe Festival

With more than 165 shows performing five times each on 19 stages across the Twin Cities area, the 2014 Minnesota Fringe Festival, one of the largest in the nation, looks to be even bigger than last year’s record festival. Through it all, Gustavus theatre and dance and music alumni, along with current students and faculty will play a major role in the 12-day festival.

Gustavus Choir Receives Invitation to Perform for ACDA

For the second time in the Gustavus Choir’s 82-year history, it has received an invitation to perform at the American Choral Directors Association North Central Division Conference. This concert by the Gustavus Choir, conducted by Dr. Gregory Aune, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, March 21 at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa.

David Lim ’15 Wins National Organ Competition

Gustavus Adolphus College junior David Lim was recently named the winner of the 12th annual Immanuel Lutheran Church Organ Competition. Lim is a Jussi Björling Music Scholar, member of the Choir of Christ Chapel, and a biology and music double major.

Gustavus Music Showcase Concert is Sunday

The biennial Gustavus Music Showcase, featuring performances by the Gustavus Choir, the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, the Gustavus Wind Orchestra and the Gustavus Jazz Lab Band, will be presented at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (900 Stillwater Avenue) in Mahtomedi on Sunday, March 16.

Gustavus Names Dave Stamps New Director of Jazz Ensembles

The Department of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College is pleased to announce the selection of jazz composer and director Dave Stamps to lead jazz studies at the College following the retirement of Dr. Steve Wright, long-time director of the trumpet and jazz programs, at the end of the current academic year. Stamps will direct the jazz studies program as well as continue to build on the College’s composition program.