History
THE SAINT CROIX CONCERT SERIES
11 YEARS, 37 CONCERTS, 12,000 MUSIC LOVERS

Things can surely grow and change—oftentimes dramatically—in eleven short years. Toddlers grow into teens, the price of gas grows by $2 a gallon and an acorn grows into full-fledged oak. The Saint Croix Concert Series is no exception to this evolution.

Planting the Seeds
The seeds for the Saint Croix Concert Series were planted in 1999 when a small group of local music lovers banded together to bring the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra to town. The first concert—featuring violinist Joshua Bell, bassist Edgar Meyer, and conductor Hugh Wolff—was such a success that it was decided to establish an annual chamber music series. And it has thrived.

“The first few years were touch and go,” explains Mary Carlson, Executive Director and one of its founders. “But we’ve had great support from the community, local businesses, foundations, and from the musicians themselves. People discovered they loved having world class musicians in their own backyard.”

The Concert Series initially sponsored two concerts per season, but as enthusiasm grew, so did the number of performances. Two performances have grown to four. “Four just seems to be the right number,” explains Carlson. “We also arrange for as many musicians as possible to work with students in Stillwater schools and perform at senior housing complexes.”

Some of the performers have been Stillwater High School alumni including violinists Marlena Chow and Erik Carlson, soprano Anne Knoche, and tenor Shazore Shah, a member of Cantus. But a glance at the list of past concerts reveals the international scope of the Concert Series: the Argentinean Chamber Orchestra Camerata Bariloche, Swiss pianist Andreas Haefliger, and the fiery Russian folk troupe Trio Voronezh.

Violins and Roses
All has not been violins and roses. In 2001 the Julliard String Quartet had to reschedule its appearance just one week before their concert date. “695 people had purchased tickets,” explains Carlson. “So three of us divided up the ticket sales list and personally phoned everyone.” Perhaps the most amazing part was, with the exception of two people, everyone was able to attend the rescheduled event.

Another quartet was barely on speaking terms when it arrived. One of the members had decided to leave the group. “The break up of a quartet is like a divorce,” explains Carlson. “They wouldn’t eat at the same table or stay in the same lodgings. I remember serving tea to a violinist in the living room while the rest ate in the kitchen. The concert itself was fabulous—but underneath it all was a tremendous amount of tension.”

And two years ago, a chamber orchestra from Argentina - delayed by weather and flight cancellations – arrived for their 7:30 concert at 7:25. “Since then I’ve always felt better when performers get to town the day before the concert,” says Carlson.

Fortunately, most musicians arrive the day before their performance, and are enamored by the town, the people, and the culture. When musicians phone and ask if they can return, when the word among East Coast musicians is “Play Stillwater if you ever have a chance,” you know you’re doing something right. One musician recently mused, “I could live in this town.”

Keys to Success
The tremendous outpouring of local support has been one of keys to the success of the Series. Ticket sales cover less than half the cost of bringing an artist to town. Grants from state government and local foundations along with donations from area businesses and music lovers help make up the difference.

Many local businesses also make “in kind” donations that cover everything from lodging and meals for the musicians to food and wine for receptions.
Behind-the-scenes volunteers tackle jobs ranging from fund raising to ticket sales. Junior High students often serve as ushers.

One grant reviewer recently paid homage to the Concert Series by stating, “I love the way the group continues growing, building and developing.”

Challenges and Rewards
Scheduling is always a challenge. With overseas artists in the country for only a few weeks, and other performers needing to be booked up to two years in advance, putting a season together is like assembling a large jigsaw puzzle. Artist fees, which continue to rise, are another piece to that puzzle, but clearly it’s a puzzle worth putting together.

The St. Croix Concert Series is indeed a unique and rare community asset. As one concert-goer summed it up, “Where else can a person listen to world class musicians, run into old friends, eat cookies, mingle with the performers and not have to hassle with traffic—all for less than $20? That’s what I love about these concerts.” - Spike Carlsen