Category: Music

Augsburg Centennial Singers Oct 30

The Augsburg Centennial Singers, a 45-member men’s chorus under the direction of Richard (Dick) Duncan, will be performing a concert at Oak Grove Presbyterian on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at 4:00 pm. A free-will offering will be received.

After graduating from Augsburg College, Dick earned a master’s degree in sacred music from Union Theological Seminary. He is the fourth director of the chorus, and he also serves as organist for Minnehaha Communion Lutheran Church.

These “Men of Faith Passing on the Faith Through Songs of Praise” come from various walks of life drawn together by their love of singing. The group was formed in 1993 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first gospel quartet from Augsburg College to sing in Norway.  The Singers have traveled to present concerts in Norway, Florida, and the Southwestern United States throughout its history.  

Music for the concert includes familiar hymns, songs of praise, gospel selections and patriotic music. Come and enjoy an afternoon of stimulating music!

Woven Voices Concert Sept 18

Woven Voices Concert: Sunday, September 18, 2022, at 2:00 pm

Woven Voices will be presenting their Make-Up Spring Concert at Oak Grove. This event will follow Oak Grove’s Covid protocols based on the current community risk level for Hennepin County, and you must be COVID symptom-free to attend. Free will offering gratefully accepted; no ticket required. Woven Voices is a chamber choir composed of experienced singers from various Minnesota-based choirs, including two Oak Grove members, that come together to joyfully explore and share choral literature written for soprano and alto voices. We look forward to seeing you!

Read more at the Woven Voices website.

Victor Zupanc Concert Sept 25

Victor Zupanc, acclaimed composer and performer, will be performing a family-friendly concert titled, “Welcome to my World,” at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at 3:00 p.m.

Composer, conductor and performer for over 300 theater productions worldwide, Victor is the long time Music Director at the Tony Award winning Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis and composer at The Guthrie, Mixed Blood and countless prestigious theaters locally and internationally. Victor and guests will perform his original compositions, pop songs, classical music and he’ll even pull out the accordion for a polka. Featured will be a new Zupanc composition to celebrate a beautiful new marimba built exclusively for Oak Grove Presbyterian Church by world renowned marimba builder, Oscar Biolley Quesada of Costa Rica. 

This concert will feature Victor and several other musicians, including Oak Grove members Jessi McKinnon, Emma Wasko, and Caitlin Lucic. Free will donation ($15 suggested but pay what you can). There will be no presale or electronic payment. Cash or check at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit OASIS, helping young adults with homeless issues.

Link to concert poster

Victor Zupanc’s website

Made in Minnesota Concert

On Sunday, April 24 at 3:00 p.m., the River Heights Chorale will present their spring concert, “Made in Minnesota,” in the Oak Grove sanctuary. The Chorale presented Christmas and Spring Concerts here many times (pre-pandemic). River Heights Chorale is a volunteer choir committed to sharing quality music with the community and to help students, through scholarships, achieve their musical goals. They will be masked, and audience members are asked to wear masks, per our building protocols. No tickets are needed; donations will be accepted.

Car Wash Fundraiser

Oak Grove hosted a car wash on Saturday, August 22, to raise money for our youth group and to help OASIS FOR YOUTH purchase a minivan. Thank you to everyone who attended and donated!

Jessi and Brandon provided live music on eight instruments (not at the same time!) at the fundraising event. Thanks, Jessi and Brandon!

2019 Advent/Christmas Worship Schedule

Tuesday, December 10, 7 PM. Shadow and Light (sometimes called Blue Christmas, or Service of Remembrance). This service of worship is open to all, yet created especially for those who experience the holiday season with a bit of anxiety, dread or sadness. It is a service of respite and renewal, of light and life in a busy season. The service will include music, scripture, and readings as well as time to light a candle in memory and in hope.

Wednesday, December 11, 6:15 pm, An Adult Christ at Christmas WOW! program with Pastor Anne.

Sunday, December 15
8:15am Pastor Anne leads worship: “Flowers in the Desert”
10:45am The Children’s Christmas Pageant. Come hear the ancient story of Jesus’ birth told by our youngest members!

Sunday, December 22
8:15am Pastor Mary leads worship
10:45am Chancel Choir and an instrumental ensemble will present the Christmas Cantata, “A Celebration of Carols,” by Joseph Martin. Let the music of Christmas reawaken the promise of God’s presence and love in our lives and remind each of us that our faith is a song worth singing – A Celebration of Carols that is made all the more glorious when it is shared. Please join us for this special service.

Christmas Eve, December 24
4:00 pm: Pastor Mary leads family worship. The early service is tailored for families with children, but all are welcome!

10:00 pm: Service of Light, Pastor Anne leads worship.
Chancel Choir sings at the 10 pm service.

Sunday, December 29 Only one service at 9:30am. Pastor Mary leads worship.

Sunday, January 5, 2020 Epiphany of the Lord. Back to two services
with communion at 8:15am & 10:45am.

Kenya Children’s Choir Oct. 6

On October 6, World Communion Sunday, we will have special music by the Children’s Choir from Kenya, Hakuna Matata. The Choir is composed of twelve children who are dedicated to spreading love, hope, and joy while raising awareness for the desperate plight of orphans and other vulnerable children.

The Choir will perform at both the 8:15 a.m. and the 10:45 a.m. Worship Services on Sunday, October 6. A special freewill offering will be received.

Twin Cities Bronze Concert on April 29

Oak Grove Presbyterian Church is hosting a handbell concert by Twin Cities Bronze on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Twin Cities Bronze is an auditioned handbell ensemble of advanced ringers from around the Twin Cities Metro area. Distinctive among handbell groups for performing without a conductor, the ensemble is also known for its energetic and visually appealing performance style. Musical excellence is the inspiration for innovative performances.

The ensemble shares its knowledge of this unique instrument nationwide and recently received a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council to implement The Mobile Classroom, a custom-designed educational workshop for handbell choirs. Members of the ensemble are in demand as class instructors at festivals, conferences and events around the country. Twin Cities Bronze traveled to Puerto Rico in June, 2017, for a cultural residency exchange which included concerts, workshops and educational activities.

The Shared Values Statement portrays the spirit of the organization:
As professionals, to strive at all times for musical excellence
As educators, to share our technical knowledge of this unique medium
As artists, to showcase the diversity of handbells through innovative performances
As performers, to support each other and have fun!

The concert at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church will feature their newest commission, “Song of Peace” by Dean Wagner, some classic handbell repertoire, and a fugue based on a theme by Lady Gaga. A free will offering will be collected which will directly benefit college students from Arecibo, Puerto Rico. They will be joining us via video during the concert.