SCSU Now

Campus, city make beautiful music

Friday, June 26, 2009

President Earl H. Potter III (left) and Mayor Dave Kleis offer a lemonade toast to community.

Under azure skies and gentle breezes, Kenton Frohrip sits enthralled in the third row at the June 25 Lemonade Concert.

In his lap is an autographed score of "Fanfare for a Celebration," an orchestral work commissioned to honor the emeritus music professor's 75th birthday and his enduring contributions to campus and community music.

On the east steps of Atwood Memorial Center is the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra Frohrip helped found in 1975.

Dressed in evening black-and-white, orchestra members are performing Michael Halstenson's fanfare for brass and percussion, under the direction of guest conductor David Arnott, an assistant professor of music at the College of Saint Benedict.

"Oh, it's wonderful," Frohrip said of his birthday fanfare. "I love Michael Halstenson. I know him well. I've played for him for ten years in the Lake Wobegon Brass Band and he's a wonderful arranger and composer."

Frohrip, a trombonist and former chair of the Music Department, remains active as a player and music volunteer. July 4 he will perform in a nationally broadcast concert with the Lake Wobegon Brass Band, during Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion" show on Minnesota Public Radio.

Frohrip was the 2004 recipient of the St. Cloud Arts Award. He is a past president of the orchestra, former member of the St. Cloud Arts Commission and founder of several major music initiatives, including the Classics for Kids program for fourth graders in St. Cloud public schools.

The concert concluded the 36th Lemonade Art Fair and Concert, St. Cloud State University's signature summer event.

More than 240 arts and crafts vendors drew thousands to campus between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Festival-goers enjoyed musical acts and other live entertainment, including one of Minnesota's premier male vocalists, Robert Robinson.

For years the festival has served as a kick-off for the larger community celebration -- first Wings, Wheels and Water and now Granite City Days.

Helping emcee the concert and grand opening ceremony was Granite City Days coordinator Jason Stock, who holds four degrees from St. Cloud State.  

The collaboration between campus and community was echoed in the remarks of Mayor Dave Kleis and President Earl H. Potter III.

"When the university does well, the city does well," said Kleis, a 1989 graduate of the university.

Potter detailed for the concert audience the broad participation in the Lemonade Art Fair and Concert -- participation that exemplifies the bonds between community and campus.

"Whether you're a faculty member, a staff member, a student, a neighbor, an alum, a community partner, a future student, or just a Minnesotan who's come here for great music, this is your university," said Potter.

[ Photos by Sherron Eisenhart for University Communications ]

- Jeff Wood

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