Art Resources

music stores
musical groups and individual artists
piano & organ technicians
music teachers
movie theaters
radio stations
recording studios
art stores and galleries
businesses with live entertainment

Music Stores

Sound Image . 1417 S 1st St., Willmar 230-235-5344 Owned by Art Benson, they sell music, band instrument accessories, stereo equipment, satellite tv systems, customized home stereo and video install, car stereos.
Whitney Music 2120 60th Ave NE, Willmar 320-214-9433 or toll free, 1-888-51MUSIC.  Owned by Bob and Jeanne Whitney.  Located 3 miles north of Willmar on HWY 71. They sell and repair band and orchestra instruments and pianos.  There is a nice selection of ccessories and gift items.  Music.  Studio lessons of piano, guitar, woodwinds, brass, and strings

Call 320-231-2115 or email Dennis Benson to add your business

Prairie Winds Concert Band a volunteer organization of musiciansplaying concerts in the summer and throughout the year.

Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra a wonderful community orchestra made up of area musicians giving concerts several times a year.

West Central Singers auditioned choral ensemble led by Chet Sommers

Ancient Age Band "Biggest Little Big Band on the Road"  Questions call:  Del Schueller at 320-235-0443 or Burt Lundberg at 320-354-2408

The Mill Pond Jazz Orchestra
1678 48th Ave. NE, Willmar
Phone: 320-212-3673
email: markfreitas@charter.net
MPJO  is a 17-19pc. community group, formed in 2005. Members include professional musicians, music teachers (current and retired), students and other talented community players. They play a variety of classic Big-Band jazz (swing, blues, latin) as well as rock, funk and hip-hop styles. Their repertoire also includes many arrangements of "sacred jazz", Christmas music and originals. Concerts have been performed at area churches, festivals, parks, restaurants, theatres and the WEAC Auditorium. They have recorded several LIVE CD's and DVD's which may purchased at Whitney Music and at their concerts. Contact Mark Freitas for booking.

The Mill Pond Jazz Combo
1678 48th Ave. NE, Willmar
Phone: 320-212-3673
email: markfreitas@charter.net
MPJC is an 8pc. group, formed by members of the larger Mill Pond Jazz Orchestra. Their music includes a variety of standard jazz tunes, "sacred jazz", rock, funk, latin and Christmas songs. They are available for church services, concerts, dances and corporate functions. Contact Mark Freitas for booking.

Mark Freitas Musical Services
1678 48th Ave. NE, Willmar
Phone: 320-212-3673
email: markfreitas@charter.net
Mark and his family have lived in WIllmar since 2004. He served as the Pastor of Worship at the Evangelical Free Church of Willmar for 4-1/2 yrs., and has played with the Prairie Winds Band, the CIty Brass Quintet and the Willmar Symphony Orchestra. He also directs and plays in the Mill Pond Jazz Orchestra and the Mill Pond Jazz Combo. Mark is available to serve your musical needs as a performer (trumpet, keyboards, vocals), conductor (choral, instrumental), composer, arranger, MIDI artist, Worship Leader, seminar teacher, Church Music Consultant, private lesson instructor (trumpet, theory, keyboards, vocal), music contractor and Recording Producer/Engineer (24-track digital studio, MIDI gear, Digital Performer software).

Front Page is led by Terry Brau This excellent group plays all types of music - Big Band, Old Time, 50's, country, rock and contemporary.
The musicians that make up Frontpage have very diverse musical backgrounds with extensive experience as jazz, classical, and rock artists and have toured throughout the northern United States.  This outstanding show has developed from the combined use of extraordinary talent --> Terry - bass, horns, and vocals; Donna - vocals and percussion; Bruce - guitar, bass, vocals; and Brian - keyboards, horns, and vocals. For additional information call 320-235-9252.
Dorothy Davis Songs of Womanspirit Christian Feminist Singer with a heart for God and women's issues 320-235-2570 Summer 218-326-5041. CassetteTapes, books, live concerts, and workshops

CTI Music Ministries Christian teams of young people who travel the world sharing Christ's message. Music is an extraordinary tool that opens the door to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world. It overcomes language and cultural barriers and it speaks to youth in a way that is universal. CTI Music Ministries PO Box 100 1809 19th Ave SW Willmar, MN 56201 Phone: 320-235-0155 Fax: 320-235-0185

Norsemen Old Timers Band Cliff Wig, Stan Block, Louie Eichhorst, Alan Sogge, Clark Budd 320-796-5806

THE PRAIRIE ARTS CHORALE is a regional choral group in Southwestern Minnesota. The Chorale prepares two musical seasons each year: the fall concert presents classical and sacred music, while the spring season is selected from folk songs, popular tunes, and themes from Broadway and musical theater. The group is in its twenty-third year of regional performance, and has also toured England (1993) and the Republic of Belarus (1996). The group rehearses weekly and is open to new singers by audtion.
For inquiries regarding concerts and auditions, please see their web page http://www.prairieartschorale.org/.

Call 320-231-2115 or email Dennis Benson to add your group

Dennis Benson (registered piano technician RPT) 320-231-2115 all types of tuning, and repair dennis@dennisbenson.com

Chet Sommers 320-235-2384 piano tuning in the Willmar Area

Jay Mercier 320-634-3260 piano tuning in the Glenwood area mercier@runestone.net

Call 320-231-8560 or email Dennis Benson to add your name

Megan GIlles Piano and Voice Studio in Willmar, MN www.GillesMusicStudio.com
email: GillesMusicStudio@gmail.com

ACO Music Studio teaching Kindermusik, piano, voice, saxophone, guitar, and recording techniques

NIKKI BETTCHER:http://www.nikkibettcher.com theatre education, consulting, and performance."Nikki works with all ages and levels teaching theatre classes, voice classes and movement classes.  She also works as a director, actor and choreographer in west central Minnesota and nationwide.  To book her theatre arts services you can reach her at 320-262-9170 or email her at littlenickel@hotmail.com"

Spectrum Artists 320-634-3260 Located in Glenwood is home to music studio with lessons in jazz, piano, flute, workshops and more. It is operated by Jay and Deb Mercier. For more information follow this link http://www.runestone.net/~mercier

Loyda Hjelte Music Studio specializing in piano lessons and keyboard class lessons with the Marilyn Cole method 320-235-2734

Call 320-231-2115 or email Dennis Benson to add your name

Art Stores and Galleries

Willmar Education Arts Gallery located on the first floor of the Arts Center at 611 SW 5th St, Willmar open 8:30-4:30 during school office hours. A wonderful spaceous gallery featuring a new artist each month as well as some school art displays.

Art in the Village Frame Shoppe & Gallery 55 Main St S New London, MN 56273 320-354-5753 check out the updates to our website: www.artinthevillage.com

LuLu Beans Coffee House Gallery on 1st St South in Willmar

Banner Oak Pottery in New London 100 Central Ave. South PO Box C New London, MN 56273 phone (320)-354-5818

Barn Theatre Gallery, downtown Willmar displays works from may artists throughout the year. Open during box office hours and during performances www.thebarntheatre.com

Ridgewater College Art Gallery located in the Fine Arts Building 2101 15th Ave NW, Willmar Open 9-5 weekdays 231-5127 during school session

TriCity Arts Exhibit Galleries featuring the various local artists several location in the tri-city area. Grove City, Cosmos and Atwater. For more information about the Tri City Arts Council contact:  Margaret Weigelt at 320-974-8751: Linda Johnston at 320-857-2118: Carol Adams at 320-877-7259.

Kandiyohi County Historical Society located on N business 71 in Willmar. They have various art exhibits on display there.

Mill Pond Mercantile 320-354-5557 Representing 30 artists and crafters in New London

JAVA RIVER Coffee House and Art Gallery, 210 S 1st St, Montevideo

Kandi Mall Theaters, Willmar 6 theaters under one roof call 320-235-3811 for show information

KWLM 1340 AMnews and talk radio

Q102 102.5 FM Source for Music, Contests, Weather, Sports and more!

KBHZ 91.9 FM Christian Radio Praise FM is a non-profit, non-commercial, listener supported radio ministry that was started in 1985 with a 6,000 Watt station in Osakis, MN. In 1996, the 25,000 Watt Willmar, MN studio was finished and put on the air.

K-95.3 Country Favorites

KDJS AM Country

K 97.3 Soft Rock

KKLW 90.9 FM K-Love Christian Radio

KGLH   96.9 FM located in Spicer, christian radio

KLFN   106.5 FM located in Sunburg, classic rock

Call 320-231-2115 or email Dennis Benson to add your business

Agape Coffee House 31 N Main St, New London 320-354-7017 Christian coffee house serving lunches and live music.

LuLu Beans Coffee House, Willmar located on South 1st St

Northern Grounds, Willmar located in downtown Willmar, occasional live music

Cornerstone Coffee Shop located in the Skylark Mall

Torgie's (Holiday Inn) 320-235-6060

Melvins on the Lake 159 Lake Ave S, Spicer 320-796-2195 live entertainment on weekends

Belle's Party Planning 320-382-6603 For help planning parties (getting entertainment, etc.)

County Line Bar and Grill, Regal 320-243-5072

Java River, Coffee house in Montevideo features onstage entertainment and art gallery, 201 S 1st St

Call 320-231-2115 or email Dennis Benson to add your business