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 ...

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 "salon!" …. The Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, in partnership 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 performers 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 Minnesota's own emerging young artists in the2012-2013 season:

 

 

2012-2013 Season

 

October 21st, 2:30 PM: "The Larson Memorial Concert"

Featuring our "Larson Memorial Award" winner Luther Warren, violinist. Chosen as our "most outstanding
performer" last season, this spectacular violinist is the stunning first prize winner of both the Junior High and
Senior High Schubert Club Scholarship Competitions (in consecutive years!), the Thursday Musical, AND the 2012
Minnesota Youth Symphonies Solo Competition! He will perform a jaw-dropping program of virtuosic pieces
which will move all in attendance - You won't want to miss our opening concert featuring this fabulous young
artist!

 

November 18th, 2:30 PM: "Young Artists Extraordinaire!!!"

Presenting the dazzling pianist Andy Xue, first prize winner of both the Thursday Musical and Schubert Club
Young Artist competitions, Andy will surely start "Thanksgiving" early this year! ... And after that, we'll hear the
masterful violinist, Benjamin Brashear, first prize winner of the 2011 Thursday Musical Competition and a rising
star in the Minnesota classical scene in his Salon se Lève debut! This will certainly be a thrilling - and filling! -
pre-Thanksgiving musical feast!

 

February 17th, 2:30 PM: "A Very Special "Pengs in Performance!" Valentine"

Featuring two fantastic (but actually unrelated!) pianists: Bo Peng, and Kelwen Peng, who are both first prize
winners of the prestigious Schubert Club Scholarship Competition! They promise to tug at our hearts and touch
our souls with their signature dramatic and remarkably commanding performances on their instrument - the piano!
You'll be so glad you came to hear two sensational pianists - two 'Pengs in performance!' this year for our
Valentine's concert!

 

March 17th, 2:30 PM: "The Salon se Lève Spring Break Concert!"

Salon se Lève introduces two new young artists to our venue in this concert - pianist Evren Ozel, first prize
winner of the Thursday Musical Junior High Young Artist Competition, and guitarist Isaiah Grose, first prize
winner of the Schubert Club Guitar Division Young Artist Competition. Both of these young artists are true
musical "poets" on their instruments, and perform with a deep sensitivity rarely heard at their age. So take a break,
and breathe in the best zephyr of musical air we have in Minnesota ... at Salon se Lève this March!

 

April 14th, 2:30 PM: "An All "Shattuck-St. Mary's" Finish !"

Presenting two astonishing young artists - both from Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Faribault, MN!..
Sedra Bistodeau, the 2012 first prize winner of the coveted Minnesota Orchestra Competition (as well as many
other national and international competitions!) and Osip Nikiforov, first prize winner of the national 2011 Music
Teachers National Association Senior Piano Competition, among other prizes. And both these young artists, from
Faribault, will sweep us off our feet - ending our season with a first rate flourish!

 

Saturday! May 18th, 2:00 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!
And please remember that the Chamber Chamboree is on SATURDAY! this year! Thank you!!

 

 

 

 

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 .