Schubert Festival event today at SMSU Campus Religious Center

Lecture-Recital examining the “Reliquie” piano sonata and the Grand Duo with Dr. Jean King, which is part of the Schubert Festival, will be at 7:30 p.m. today at the SMSU Campus Religious Center. The event is free and open to the public.

SMSU Chorale concert Saturday

The SMSU Chorale will present a concert entitled “Be Still My Soul: the Music of Morten Lauridsen” at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Lutheran Church of Marshall (100 Church Street). Known for his profound ability to connect music and poetry, Lauridsen is one of the most beloved composers of his generation. Named an “American Choral Master” by the National Endowment for the Arts, Lauridsen was also awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George W. Bush. Central to the performance will be “Lux Aeterna,” a five-movement cantata that Lauridsen composed for the Los Angeles Master Chorale after learning that his mother had been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

According to SMSU Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music, Dr. Stephen Kingsbury, “In typical fashion for Lauridsen, he found his initial inspiration for the work in his text. Interestingly, although the Lux Aeterna is a piece born from grief, he chose to avoid the more traditional setting of the Requiem text, with its focus on praying for the dead, and instead settled on a collection of texts that while acknowledging grief, also centers hope. Light becomes a central metaphor for this hope.”

Student Association election results for 2026-2027 academic year

The Southwest Minnesota State University Student Association recently held the election for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

The newly elected executive officials for the coming year are: 

• John Haler was elected to serve as SMSUSA president. He is currently a sophomore justice administration major from Lafayette.

• Bella Angell secured the position of SMSUSA vice president. Angell is a sophomore elementary education major from Monticello.

• Paige Klaphake was elected to a second term as the SMSUSA PR coordinator. Klaphake is a senior biology major from Elrosa,.

• Shenal “Alex” Peries was elected as the SMSUSA treasurer. Peries is a junior majoring in both data science and finance. He comes to SMSU from Sri Lanka.

In addition to the executive board, a cohort of individuals was elected by their peers to serve as senators, advocating for the diverse interests of the SMSU student body.

The 2026-2027 SMSU student senators elected by the SMSU student body are:

• Bea Montiel, undecided, freshman from Marshall.

• Tallulah Kremin, justice administration, freshman from Redwood Falls.

• John O’Brien, communication studies: broadcasting & digital media, junior from Alexandria.

• Kenzie Freese, justice administration and psychology, Junior from Marshall.

• Jaiden Fredrickson, psychology and justice administration, freshman from Willmar.

• Mallory Molitor, social work, sophomore from Foley.