Attuned to Minneapolis, Kan.

The people of Minneapolis, Kan., will get a three-day preview of a chamber ensemble that is slated to appear on the KU Lied Center's Swarthout Chamber Music Series.

The Hutchins Consort, a chamber music ensemble, will be in Minneapolis Thursday through Saturday, April 11-13, to play concerts and give lecture demonstrations before taking the stage in Lawrence.

The ensemble performs on eight specially designed violins that range from a tiny treble instrument, tuned higher than the standard violin, to a huge contrabass violin that plays lower notes than a cello.

The Minneapolis residency begins at 7 p.m. April 11, with a reception at the Minneapolis Public Library. The next two days, the ensemble will give free lecture demonstrations at several community sites, including Delphos Middle School, Minneapolis Grade School, Minneapolis High School, The Blue Store Emporium and the Minneapolis Hospital.

A free public concert will be performed at 7 p.m. April 12, at the Minneapolis High School Auditorium.

The father of Hutchins Consort artistic director and Wichita native Joe McNalley grew up in Minneapolis.

The consort's Minneapolis residency is sponsored by KU's Lied Center of Kansas and its Swarthout Chamber Music Series. For more information, contact Karen Christilles at the Lied Center, (785) 864-2794.

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