Mayo Clinic Announces Three September Concerts for the Rosemary and Meredith Willson Harmony for Mayo Program

Monday, August 25, 2008

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Anchored in Mayo Clinic's aim to promote the compassionate delivery of health care, the Rosemary and Meredith Willson Harmony for Mayo Program features talented musical performers who add to the healing environment of Mayo Clinic. Performances can be viewed on Mayo's television network throughout Rochester Methodist and Saint Marys hospitals. Patients, visitors, staff and the Rochester community also are invited to attend the live concerts from 12:10 to 1 p.m. on several Mondays in September.

The schedule is:

Sept. 1: Labor Day (no concert)

Sept. 8: Monroe Crossing will perform bluegrass music in Barbara Woodward Lips Atrium, subway level, Charlton Building, Rochester Methodist Hospital, 10 Third Ave. N.W. Named after the late Bill Monroe, who has been called the "father of bluegrass," Monroe Crossing is one of the foremost bluegrass and gospel quintets in the Midwest. The group performs an upbeat blend of classic and traditional bluegrass, bluegrass gospel and original songs. They play an average of 125 shows a year at major venues and festivals across the country. Their latest recording is "Live From Silver Dollar City."

Sept. 15: Prudence Johnson and accompanist Dan Chouinard will perform jazz music in Hage Atrium, subway level, Siebens Building, 100 Second Ave. S.W. Johnson is an accomplished and celebrated musician who has more than 25 years of experience performing at venues across the United States and around the world. Johnson grew up in a musical family in Moose Lake, Minn. During her career, she has bridged the gap from her roots in folk and country to jazz music and back again. Chouinard is a freelance pianist and accordionist from Minneapolis. He performs regularly on Minnesota Public Radio and also is a musician at the church of St. Joan of Arc in Minneapolis.

Sept. 22: Acoustic guitarist Dean Magraw will perform in Barbara Woodward Lips Atrium, subway level, Charlton Building, Rochester Methodist Hospital, 10 Third Ave. N.W. A regular performer at Harmony for Mayo, Magraw has been playing guitar for 30 years. A St. Paul resident, he also is known for his accomplishments as a composer, arranger and producer. In addition to solo musical tours throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, Magraw collaborates regularly with other artists, including Garrison Keillor and Peter Ostroushko. His most recent recording is "Music for Healing."

Sept. 29: Mayo Clinic Heritage Days (no concert)

Sponsored by Mayo Clinic Center for Humanities in Medicine, the Rosemary and Meredith Willson Harmony for Mayo Program is coordinated by Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester. The program, in its 10th year of performances, is generously funded by Rosemary Willson in memory of her late husband, Meredith Willson, who wrote the Broadway musical "The Music Man." The gift is made in gratitude for the couple's care at Mayo Clinic. More information about the Rosemary and Meredith Willson Harmony for Mayo Program can be found online (www.mayoclinic.org/humanities-in-medicine).

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