Visiting composer Robin Escher of Sonoma, California has written a song cycle CRAZY COLD BEAUTIFUL about the Beargrease, which will be performed by the Borealis Chorale, directed by William Beckstrand on Friday, Feb. 5 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais. The Grand Portage Stonebridge Singers will perform at 7 p.m. prior to the performance.
Escher, the 2014 McKnight Visiting Composer with the American Composers Forum, received a grant to complete this musical work about the history and culture of mushing in northern Minnesota.
Her research included studying letters written between 1880- 1900 from the local historical society, meeting with mushers and sled-builders, librarians, writers, historians, musicians, and people who have lived along the North Shore area for generations.
Escher said, “I followed the route traveled by John Beargrease, learning as much as I could and gathering materials for the song cycle.”
All are invited to this and another performance at 4 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Music Center in Duluth on Saturday, Feb. 6.
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