Source: Martha Scott, 785-532-7718, marthas@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Caitlin Muret, 785-532-7718, cmuret@k-state.edu

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009

SANDZEN EXHIBITION INSPIRES MUSIC AT K-STATE'S BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

MANHATTAN -- Life inspires art and art inspires music -- at least the "Sandzens From the Sandzen" exhibition has at Kansas State University's Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art.

The Tallgrass Trio will perform music inspired by the exhibition at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12.

Susan Maxwell, the bassoonist in the trio, said that the ensemble was inspired by three themes in Birger Sandzen's work.

"We noticed that he had rural scenes, used impressionist styles and that shades of blue repeat throughout his work," she said. The group chose folk music to pair with the rural paintings, Jacque Ibert movements for the impressionist styles, and blues music to go with Sandzen's use of the color blue.

Maxwell, Kristen Mortenson, who plays the violin, and Abby Richmond, who plays the clarinet, make up the Tallgrass Trio. All three women have extensive music backgrounds -- with seven music degrees between them -- and are involved in other musical groups such as the Pernambuco String Quartet, the Wamego City Band and K-State's Woodwind Quintet.

The cost for the performance is $10 per person and includes dessert. Reservations should be made by Tuesday, Feb. 10. Child care is also available by reservation and costs $3 per child. Reservations can be made by call 785-532-7718.

The Beach Museum of Art is on the southeast corner of the K-State campus at 14th Street and Anderson Avenue. Free visitor parking is available next to the building. Normal museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The museum is closed Mondays.