Music in the Park Series

Music in the Park Series was founded in 1979 by Artistic Director Julie Himmelstrup. Our mission is to provide a chamber music concert setting that fosters a bond among composers, performers and audience and to deepen appreciation and understanding of music. Based in St. Paul’s St. Anthony Park community, the series reaches beyond the neighborhood to build audiences. The series is a classic example of an important local arts institution that emerged from an artistic vision supported by a corps of dedicated volunteers.

The Series

Each season, Music in the Park Series presents a 7-concert chamber music series at the acoustically and architecturally superb St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ, and a 3-concert family series at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church featuring composers and performers of local, national, and international prominence. The series offers listeners a rare opportunity to enjoy one of the richest and most varied forms of musical literature. Through imaginative and varied programming, traditional chamber music, jazz, new compositions, and popular music are all available in a context which links rather than separates them.

The intimate setting and post-concert gatherings foster a rare bond among composers, performers and listeners of all ages.

Music in the Park Series founder and artistic director Julie Himmelstrup was recently honored by the St. Anthony Park Community Council. She was nominated to the City of St. Paul Neighborhood Honor Roll in appreciation of her contributions to the quality of life in St. Anthony Park.

Himmelstrup was named a 1994 Marvelous Minnesota Woman for her work as founder and Artistic Director of Music in the Park Series. In 1997, Himmelstrup was honored with the prestigious Champion of New Music Award, a national award given by the American Composers Forum.