AOG presents Alumni Concert

Arts on Grand's second annual alumni concert on Feb. 17 will feature Andy Van Engen and friends.
(Photo submitted)

Van Engen, who graduated in 1997, played French horn, bass, and drums in the Spencer High School Band. Since graduation, he has played bass, mostly in church settings. He describes himself as "an old soul who loves the new stuff, too."

The program will be a "sweet musical assortment of jazz, folk, gospel, rock, and fun." There will be bass solos, classic ballads, jazz standards, hymns and new gospel, funky soul, humor, improv songs, and a hoedown set, with music by the Beatles, Alison Krauss, Bob Dylan, Herbie Hancock, Johnny Cash, Nat King Cole, Vince Guaraldi, and Victor Wooten.

He will be joined by Ryan Sather on piano and keyboards; Andy Alexander of Ames on saxophone and electronic wind instrument; Spencer High School student Christian Kladstrup on drums and percussion; and Sibley-Ocheyedan High School student Dalton Petersen on bass, guitar, piano, and violin.

Also joining him will be several family members: his mother Marlys Van Engen on violin and cello, his cousin Jon Anderson of Minneapolis on guitar, mandolin, and violin; his sister Roni Overmire of Hartley and his wife Melissa Van Engen, both of whom have over 20 years experience as church vocal soloists.

The concert is sponsored by Midwest Piano & Music Center. This year's Arts on Grand concert series is sponsored by Del's Garden Center, The Farmers Bank, and Northwest Bank.

Tickets are available in advance at Arts on Grand and Midwest Piano. They are priced at $8 in advance for adults and $10 at the door on the afternoon of the performance. Student tickets are available for $5 in advance or at the door. College students may purchase tickets at the student rate by presenting a student ID. For more information, contact Arts on Grand at 262-4307.