Since 1999, this monthly performance series presents, supports and encourages Minnesota's most gifted emerging young artists, utilizing the 19th century ambiance of a salon concert. Pre-college musicians are chosen to perform in this series after winning a major regional, national or international competition in the previous school year.  These recitals are presented by the Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, in partnership with Salon se Lève's Volunteer Council/Contributing Membership and the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Downtown, Minneapolis . As has been our tradition, all concerts (except the Benefit Concert) are free and open to the public.  The program is funded through generous donations of its Contributing Members.  These donors play an essential role in guaranteeing our season’s success AND are provided with reserved seating for the concerts! Call Lori at 320-255-0318 to find out how you can become a Contributing Member and become an integral part of these young artists’ lives.  As our co-founder Doug Larson used to say; "We’ll be so looking forward to seeing you there"!

Hear the world’s greatest music played by some of Minnesota’s finest young artists in a setting as it was first meant to be heard ...

The Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church, with the Wirth Center for the Performing Arts and the Salon se Lève Contributing Members are proud to present six recitals, featuring our amazing young regional artists in an intimate venue - reminiscent of old world salons. Offered in the Art Gallery at HAUMC, this up-close- and -personal setting brings the music and performer directly to the audience, stirring hearts and arousing emotions and imaginations as only a true salon atmosphere can! Join us for these exciting Sunday afternoon concerts as we encourage some of the finest emerging young artists in the 2011-2012 season:

 

 

2011-2012 Season

 

October 16th, 2:30 PM: "The Larson Memorial Concert"

Featuring our "Larson Memorial Award" winner Jeff Zhang, pianist. Chosen as our "most outstanding performer" last season, this amazing pianist is the astounding first prize winner of both the Senior High Schubert Club Scholarship Competition AND the National MTNA Student Young Artist Competition! He will perform a full program of virtuosic piano pieces which will thrill and dazzle all in attendance - You won't want to miss our opening concert featuring this fabulous young artist!

 

November 20th, 2:30 PM: "Young Artists Extraordinaire!!!"

Presenting the phenomenal pianist Bo Peng, first prize winner of the Minnesota Orchestra's prestigious "Young People's Symphony Concert Association" competition of 2010 and fast rising piano star in astral "plains" of the upper Midwest! And after that, we'll also hear the virtuosic violinist, Luther Warren, first prize winner of both the 2011 Thursday Musical Competition and the Schubert Club Scholarship Competition - a concurrence of 10 judges! And both of these young artists have already achieved this in junior high - This could be one of our best concerts ever!!

 

February 19th, 2:30 PM: "A Very Special 'Minnesota Varsity' Valentine!"

This will be a heartfelt Valentine treat for us all: Guitarist Henry Johnston, first prize winner of the coveted Schubert Club Scholarship Competition and a winner of the new MPR "Minnesota Varsity" competition, Henry will tug at our heart strings with the most intimate of all instruments - the guitar! And then, another MPR Minnesota Varsity winner, and first prize winner of the Schubert Club Scholarship Competition as well as the Thursday Musical Competition, pianist Andy Xue, will move our hearts with his rich tone and stunning mastery of the instrument. We have "two hearts" for you at Hennepin this year!

 

March 25th, 2:30 PM: "The Salon se Leve Return Engagement 'Favorites' Concert!"

Welcomes back the winning pianist Megan Ruan, a 2009 Thursday Musical first prize winner and laureate of the nationally syndicated NPR show "From the Top" who will again ravish us with her astonishing pianism!… And then, the jaw dropping and international prize winning cellist John Belk will again knock our socks off with his charismatic virtuosity and masterful musicianship. This is a concert to be looked forward to on every level, and with great anticipation!

 

April 22nd, 2:30 PM: "An All Pianist Finale!"

Presenting two pianists!… Kelwen Peng, first prize winner of the 2010 Schubert Club Scholarship Competition and the Northern Lights Concerto Competition whose power passion were heard in the "Carnival of the Animals" with the Minnesota Orchestra in 2010 … AND the remarkable concerto competition first prize winner of both the St. Paul Piano Teacher's Association AND the Minnesota Orchestra's YPSCA Competition in 2011 - Austin Frohmader! We're going out with power this season!!

 

May 20th, 2:30 PM: Benefit Concert TBA "Chamber Chamboree!"

You won't want to miss our wonderful emerging young artists play some of the world's greatest chamber music. Three or four groups, depending upon availability, will be filling the HAUMC Art Gallery with resonance to be remembered - and filling our hearts with the joy that only this genre can provide. This event – which will be WELL attended - is ticketed – so be sure to get your tickets early!

 

 

 

 

VIEW OUR SALON SLIDE SHOW Photos By: Andrew Gess Photography

 

A Little History:

In the summer of 1999, Dr. Paul Wirth, Artistic Director of WCPA contacted the Metropolitan Piano Gallery (Yamaha dealer for the Twin Cities) with a new idea: The idea was to create a unique performance opportunity for the finest young artists in Minnesota . Chosen from among the first place competition winners each year, this concert series would be an opportunity for these young artists to bond with an appreciative audience who would be there to support them. Metropolitan signed onto the idea, and appointed Doug Larson as their representative in promoting the series. Doug's added vision gave a special touch to it as he entitled it - Salon se Lève: Renewing the salon concert to encourage emerging young artists. The series began in the fall of 1999 at the Metropolitan Piano Gallery in Oakdale, MN and grew slowly but steadily, presenting 5 regular season concerts featuring two artists each. After the performances, the elaborate receptions gave everyone a chance to meet each other in convivial celebration, and the list of contributing members began to grow. The fundraisers each spring were quite successful with guest artists: The Ali Family, the Baken Trio, Paul Wirth (as Mozart in Mozart and the Magic Boot) and others. One highlight of the first season was a $500 gift given to one of the financially challenged young artists by an inspired patron.

The first real step toward financial security however came in the spring of 2002 when Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad, studio artist and philanthropist donated a matching grant for the fundraiser in May. Pursuant to this, the next season also featured a masterclass for the students with the world renowned pianist Stephen Kovacevitch. To this day, students still speak of this wonderful opportunity and of what they learned there.

Yet, Salon se Lève suffered two nearly fatal blows: the first in the summer of 2003 with the unexpected passing of Doug Larson and the second in the spring of 2004 with the closing of the Metropolitan Piano Gallery stores. In response to these hardships, Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad, Salon se Lève's most significant contributor, suggested to Dr. Wirth that he consider the Art Gallery at the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in downtown Minneapolis for a new venue. Indeed, while it was quite a distance from the Oakdale patrons, and the piano was in need of repair, it was a wonderful venue for salon type concerts - with no stage. A Volunteer Council committee was formed to fill the void of promotion and administration which Doug's passing created. After a year of looking and planning, with the support of the Volunteer Council and the approval of HAUMC Minister of Music Bill Mathis and the church's board, Salon se Léve resumed operation there in the fall of 2005.

Since then, Salon se Lève has been rebuilding. The contributing member list continues to  grow as more patrons of classical music become aware of this wonderful program. The concept of Salon se Lève, which is a “win-win-win” one for the young artists, the contributing members, and the church alike, is a powerful one. All indications are that with continuing support from all involved, it will grow in its mission to encourage our emerging young artists here in Minnesota.

For information on Salon se Lève, please contact Lori McNamara, Executive Director of the Wirth Center for the Performing Arts .