La Grande Bande

La Grande Bande strives to present innovative, unique and inspiring musical programs right in the heart of southern-Minnesota farm country. With performances called “warm and sensitive” by the Star Tribune, we seek to reintroduce classical music to our communities using the instruments and techniques premiere audiences might have heard. LGB is composed of musicians from across the United States and from around the world who are specialists in the field of Early Music—music written between c. 1600-1800—and who play on historical instruments and sing in an historical manner.

Our goals are to present “masterworks” alongside lesser-known compositions, illustrating the extensive musical production during the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries; to foster musical growth in the younger generations through directed-educational events, open rehearsal sessions, or masterclasses; to reinvigorate the older generations with outreach concerts, pre-concert talks, open rehearsals, and beyond. We see incredible value in resurrecting the music written by the great masters of our past; it’s a historical, cultural, and musical lesson rolled into one.

Message from La Grande Bande's Founder and Artistic Director

This season is La Grande Bande's most ambitious yet! We have just completed our "Handel's Water Musicks" performances in Gaylord and Minneapolis to rave reviews from the largest audiences in our organization's history. We have four more programs on our 2024/2025 season and could use your help to make these programs a success! 

We have a goal to raise $5,000 before the end of our fiscal year on December 31. These funds will help to pay our musicians for rehearsals and performances, for travel expenses, for instrument rental expenses, for the wonderful educational programming we provide to our communities and schools, and general operating expenses for the organization. And, thanks to a very generous supporter, all donations we receive by 12.31.2024 up to $5,000 will be matched!

Thank you for your support of La Grande Bande and our mission to bring world-class performances and educational events to audiences in Minnesota! Coming up:

A French Baroque Christmas
     Thu Dec 5, St Peter
     Sat Dec 7, St Paul

The English Songbook
     Thu Feb 6, Winthrop
     Fri Feb 7, St Paul

Supper & Songs
     Thu Mar 27, Arlington
     Fri Mar 28, Minneapolis

Music from New Spain
    Fri May 23, LaCrosse
    Sat May 24, Minneapolis

Information and tickets can be found at: LaGrandeBande.org  I look forward to seeing you at a performance soon!

- Dr. Michael Thomas Asmus