Minneapolis Guitar Quartet and Musicians Fair
Written surveys will be distributed to all attendees. A majority of respondents will learn something about the history and meaning of the music played by the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet and learn something about how the quartet’s members play their guitars. Library staff will observe a majority of attendees actively engaging in the program by listening attentively, clapping, and talking with the musicians. Anecdotal responses from attendees will confirm their enjoyment of the concert.
Librarian observed audience members listening quietly during the performance, clapping between pieces, and asking questions at the conclusion of the performance. Librarian further observed much discussion between the quartet members and local musicians; even saw one of the guitar players getting a quick lesson on the concertina from a local legendary musician. Librarian observed a group of listeners gathering around local musicians during their jam session, and there was clapping and singing to the music. Several attendees as well as several local musicians told librarian they enjoyed the morning of events. The success of this program went beyond expectations. Librarian was thrilled that so many local musicians brought their music, memorabilia, and instruments. As Kathy Austinson at Community and Seniors Together noted, these local musicians usually are competing for gigs, not playing together. It truly was a community event.
Traverse des Sioux Library System and Minneapolis Guitar Quartet, Community and Seniors Together, local musicians, Dick Kimmel, New Ulm Community Access Television, Comcast Cable, local businesses and media outlets. Partner Organization(s) Contribution/Role in the Program: Minneapolis Guitar Quartet (Joseph Hagedorn, Wade Oden, Ben Gateño, Steve Newbrough) – performance; Community and Seniors Together – venue, publicity, secured local musicians; Local musicians – staffed tables with memorabilia and CDs, played their instruments; Dick Kimmel – secured local musicians, sound for performance; New Ulm Community Access Television – filmed program for cablecast; Comcast Cable – filmed program for cablecast; Local businesses and media outlets – publicity