Minnesota Sinfonia to Feature Teen Violinist and Soprano Soloist Evelyn Nelson in Holiday Concert

Minneapolis, MN, November 03, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Minnesota Sinfonia is proud to announce it's annual Holiday Family Pops Concert featuring 2011 Junior Young Artist Competition winner Brandon Duffy, who will be performing the first movement of Max Bruch's Violin Concerto no 1. Also featured this year, Evelyn Nelson, soprano soloist, performing a variety of light favorites in works by Mozart, Gonoud, Puccini, and Strauss. Both soloists will be performing with the Minnesota Sinfonia in St. Paul and Minneapolis on December 2 and 3. Evelyn Nelson will also be performing on December 4 with the Sinfonia in St. Cloud at St. Mary's Cathedral. This additional concert is held in conjunction with the Paramount Theater with funds from the Legacy Amendment.

Also on the program is a winning composition "Chicago!" by Max Shin, a Sinfonia's 2011 Junior Composers competition winner.

Concerts will be held 7 p.m. Friday, December 2 at Founder's Hall, Metropolitan State University at 700 East 7th Street in St. Paul, and 2 p.m. Saturday, December 3 at Basilica of St. Mary at 88 N. 17th Street Minneapolis. Admission is free and children are always welcome to attend. Audience members should arrive early—all concerts are first-come, first-seated.

Brandon Duffy is an eighth grader at Chippewa Middle School in North Oaks. He began violin studies at the age of five with his current teacher, Yuko Heberlein. Brandon has studied chamber music with Tom Rosenberg and the Artaria Chamber Music School.

Minnesotan native soprano Evelyn Nelson is a versatile and creative performer whose experience and abilities span Bach to Broadway. She has sung several leading operatic roles, most recently making her debut at Indiana University Opera Theater as Adele in Johann Strauss’ "Die Fledermaus". Additional Minnesota Sinfonia concert information is available at 612-871-1701 or www.mnsinfonia.org.

The Minnesota Sinfonia is a professional chamber orchestra whose mission is to serve the musical and educational needs of the citizens of Minnesota, especially families with children, inner-city youth, seniors and those with limited financial means. The Sinfonia plays concerts for over 25,000 people each year, and is the only professional orchestra of its kind, offering all concerts free of admission charges, welcoming children to every performance, and dedicating over half its services to inner-city schools. Founded in 1989 by Artistic Director Jay Fishman, the Sinfonia is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization supported by corporate, foundation and individual contributors. For more information visit www.mnsinfonia.org or call 612-871-1701.

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For Calendars: Minnesota Sinfonia Holiday Family Pops: featuring Brandon Duffy, violin and Evelyn Nelson, soprano. Friday, December 2, 7 p.m. at Founder's Hall, Metropolitan State University at 700 East 7th Street in St. Paul and Saturday, December 3, 2 pm at Basilica of St. Mary at 88 N. 17th Street Minneapolis. Free. 612.871.1701. www.mnsinfonia.org