Performances by professional and amateur pianists will highlight the 13th annual Bunny Just Piano Festival Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 19-22, at Minnesota State Mankato.
On Feb. 19, jazz pianist and composer Ryan Frane will perform with his trio at 7:30 p.m. in Halling Recital Hall. On Feb. 22, classical pianist Douglas Ashcraft will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the recital hall.
Other events include college master class sessions Feb. 18 at noon in Halling Recital Hall, and a competition and master class sessions for junior and senior high school students Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Master class sessions are free and open to the public.
The festival is sponsored by the Department of Music, and is part of the 2009 Performance Series.
Frane is the director of jazz studies at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and he coordinates the annual Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival at the university.
As a jazz pianist, he has appeared solo and as an ensemble member across the United States. He has taught and performed at the University of Northern Colorado, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the University of South Dakota, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Tiffin University, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Casper College, the University of Southern Colorado and others.
Ashcraft has performed in recitals and concerts for a number of years, and has recorded solo and chamber concerts on both sides of the Atlantic. His recent recitals include performances at Carnegie Recital Hall, Alice Tully Hall and London’s Wigmore Hall. He has been a member of the Idyllwild Arts Academy faculty since 1995.
Beneta Just initiated the Bunny Just Piano Festival at Minnesota State Mankato in 1996. In 2004 her estate created an endowment to fund the festival each spring for 100 years and beyond. Just was a promoter, volunteer and financial supporter of many local social concerns, including special education and human rights. A scholarship in special education remains in her name today.
Concert admission is $12 for adults; $9 for students (K-12); and $7 for students with a valid MavCard. Advance purchase is strongly encouraged. Those who wish to purchase tickets online should go to www.mnsu.edu/music/. Those who want concert information should call the Performance Series office, (507)-389-5549.
Those with a disability who need reasonable accommodations to attend the events should contact the Office of Disability Services at (507) 389-2825 (V/TTD), (800) 627-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTD).
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