Mankato Symphony Orchestra honors late member with memorial concert

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) — The Mankato Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is honoring one of their long time members who recently passed away.

Helen Baumgartner was a violinist for the Mankato Symphony for 14 years. As a tribute, the symphony gathered to perform a “Music in the Garden” memorial concert at Jack McGowan’s Farm.

“She has deep roots with the orchestra. She was also a professor of music at Gustavus (Adolphus College) and also an author of symphonic program notes. She will be missed as a friend,” said MSO Executive Director Bethel Balge.

“She was such a treasure and we miss her so much. She lived through so much history with the symphony which was just amazing and she was just amazing,” said MSO lead violinist and concertmaster Emily Saathoff.

“She was there for multiple conductors and concerts. I don’t think I remember her missing one,” Saathoff continued.

In order to safely social distance, the program was not open to the public, but will be available to be streamed virtually on Mankato Symphony Orchestra’s Facebook and Youtube channels at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Copyright 2020 KEYC. All rights reserved.