Feb. 20: Margery McDuffie Whatley Piano Concert

Sunday, February 20, 2022
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Elias J. Halling Recital Hall

Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Music & Entertainment Industries News Release

MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State University, Mankato's Department of Music & Entertainment Industries presents the 24th Annual Bunny Just Piano Festival from Friday, Feb. 18 through Sunday, Feb. 20 at the Elias J. Halling Recital Hall of the Earley Center for Performing Arts, 320 Maywood Ave.

The three-day festival highlights performances by professional and amateur pianists.

Piano festival events are sponsored by the Bunny Just Piano Festival Endowment.

Margery McDuffie Whatley (pictured) performs at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 20. McDuffie Whatley is recognized internationally as a piano soloist and as a chamber musician. A native of Macon, Georgia, she has performed at the United States Supreme Court at the request of former Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun; at the World Congress Center in Atlanta for the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony; and at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion with her brother, internationally acclaimed violinist Robert McDuffie.

Whatley is recognized for her strong  interest in making classical music accessible to people of all ages and listening experiences, Whatley has presented a series of outreach programs throughout cities in Georgia, California, Iowa and Illinois.  Whatley is currently a member of the music faculty at the University of Montana.

Other festival events include college master class sessions Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. in Elias J. Halling Recital Hall.  A competition and master class sessions for junior and senior high school students will take place Feb. 19 from 1-5 p.m. Participants will be judged and rated by Whatley. Master class sessions are free and open to the public.

Beneta Just initiated the Bunny Just Piano Festival at Minnesota State Mankato in 1996. In 2004 her estate created an endowment to fund the annual festival. Just was a promoter, volunteer and financial supporter of many local social concerns, including special education and human rights. A University scholarship in special education remains in her name today.

Tickets are available online at www.mnsu.edu/music (select the ‘Upcoming Performances’ link).

Concert admission is $9 for general admission and $7 for K-12 students and children. University students are admitted free with a valid MavCARD. 

Contact the Performance Series office, (507) 389-5549, for more information about festival events.