Isabelle Haugen
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSU) – Valley City State University will host a trio of concerts at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts.
The upcoming events include the large Fall Choral Concert featuring dozens of VCSU students, the Ployhar Honor Band that includes 92 area high school students, and the senior recital of VCSU music student Isabelle Haugen. All three events are free and open to the public.
VCSU Upcoming Music Events: Sunday, Oct. 20: Fall Choral Concert, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 25: Ployhar Honor Band, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 27: Isabelle Haugen Senior Recital, 2 p.m.
Fall Choral Concert
VCSU’s Fall Choral Concert will feature 12 songs performed by the VCSU Concert Choir and the University Singers under the direction of Professor Heather Aune. Attendees will enjoy an evening of rich choral music, including the haunting folk melody “Who Can Sail Without the Wind” and the beloved classic “Shenandoah.” Other songs include “It Was a Lover and His Lass” based on Shakespearean text, the energetic sea shanty “Drunken Sailor” and much more. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20.
Ployhar Honor Band
The 21st annual Ployhar Band Festival will be held Oct. 24-25 in the Center for the Arts. Named after VCSU distinguished alumni and music hall of fame member, James D. Ployhar, this prestigious band has been selected from students across North Dakota through an audition process. The guest conductor will be Professor Jerrold Heide, director of bands at VCSU. This year’s band will be the biggest in the history of the event with 92 members. Statewide interest has also increased with almost 200 students auditioning. The two-day long festival will conclude with a grand final concert in the performance hall at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 25.
Isabelle Haugen Recital
VCSU senior Isabelle Haugen, flute, presents her Senior Recital on Sunday, Oct. 27. The concert is a culmination of her music studies at VCSU and begins at 2 p.m. at the CFA Performance Hall.
A native of Fargo, N.D., Haugen is a senior music education major studying flute with Dr. Katrina Clements and formerly Dr. Lindsey Wiehl. The program will include music by Georges-Hüe, Edgard Varèse, Eldin Burton, Charles T. Griffes, Billy Joel, and Camille Saint-Saëns. Haugen will perform alongside VCSU faculty Dr. Ozzie Johnson (piano), Ben Diers (alto saxophone), and Tedi Dimmer (clarinet).
During her time in the VCSU Music Department, Haugen has participated in the Concert Band, Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Athletic Band, University Singers, Opera Ensemble, Commercial Music Ensemble, and NAfME. She will be student teaching in the spring semester and will graduate in May 2025. After graduation, she plans to get a job teaching music in the area. Following Haugen’s recital, a reception will be held in the lobby.
For those unable to attend in-person, all three concerts will also be live streamed on the Valley City State University Music Department YouTube Channel.