The concert will bring to the Memorial Hall stage world renowned violinist/fiddler Mark O'Connor, with Daniel Hege, a Bethel College alumnus and former conductor of the NMKSO, conducting the orchestra.

Grammy award winner Mark O'Connor, a product of America's rich folk culture, has also successfully encountered the American symphonic tradition.

Daniel Hege is a 1987 Bethel College graduate and a former music director of the NMKSO, a position he held for 13 years. He was recently reappointed music director of the Syracuse (N.Y.) Symphony Orchestra for another six years.

Hege earned a master's of music in conducting from the University of Utah. He has conducted the Disney's Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra as well as a variety of other orchestras.

The program for the Feb. 11 HBPA concert will include works by American composer Aaron Copland -"Hoe Down" from Rodeo, as well as Lincoln Portrait. The latter honors Abraham Lincoln by combining excerpts of the president's speeches with a musical portrait. Arlo Kasper, North Newton, Bethel College professor emeritus of communication arts, will narrate the Lincoln Portrait.

The Winter Classics Concert is part of the year-long celebration of NMKSO's 50th anniversary. The community orchestra brings together area musicians - from student to professional - for four concerts annually. The collaboration with Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts in the series' 25th season highlights the sense of community evidenced by both groups.

The Feb. 11 concert is sponsored in part by Midland National Bank and The Gary Franz Team.

Tickets for the concert are $15 for reserved seats and $13 and $12 general admission, with discounts available for students and senior citizens on general admission.

For phone orders, call (620) 327-8158 or (316) 284-5205. Tickets are available at the Bethel College Bookstore in Schultz Student Center on the Bethel campus, open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.