Recent and Upcoming Events
Legacy
The Minnesota Symphonic Winds will perform Legacy at three concerts this spring: at Roseville Area HS on May 17, 2024, at the Centennial Lakes Park Maetzold Amphitheater on June 5, 2024, and at the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) National Convention in Minneapolis on June 26, 2024. This piece was commissioned and premiered by the Farmington High School Band Class of 2022 (pictured below) as a farewell gift to their band directors Bradley Mariska, Erin Holmes, and Elliot Douma. It reflects and commemorates their collective experience in band: learning their instruments, developing as musicians, coping with the disruption of the pandemic, emerging triumphant and looking forward toward new adventures. It was a truly special commission and a memorable and wonderful experience!
Of Lakes and Legends – New Band Arrangement!
In November 2023, the Century College Concert Band premiered Shirley’s band arrangement of her orchestral work Of Lakes and Legends, commissioned by Reggie Buresh, a member of the Century Band (as well as the Chamber Orchestra). Congratulations on a wonderful performance!
Music Directing and Performing
Improv
Shirley is excited to be playing piano on the comedy improv stage again! She recently completed a run with Stevie Ray’s Comedy Cabaret at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, and has upcoming gigs with the Masters of Improv at Crooners Supper Club, on Sun. May 26 at 5pm and Sat. June 8 at 2pm as part of the Crooners 2nd Annual Comedy Festival. See you there!
Hell-Burnin’ Sinners
In Spring 2019, Shirley composed and arranged music for Century College’s production of The Grapes of Wrath. Her onstage group of musicians, the Hell-Burnin’ Sinners, has evolved into its own band and they’ve taken it on the road! They have performed at venues including Dalles House, Driftwood Char Bar, Midtown Global Market, Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, Eagles Club #34, and the Saint Paul Saints as part of their front gate concert series. In summer 2021 they performed at Twin Cities Summer Jam in Shakopee. Visit their website or Facebook page to check out upcoming events.
The Hell-Burnin’ Sinners are: Joshua Larson, guitar; Shirley Mier, melodica & keyboard; Aaron Hooker, banjo & lead vocals; Alison Keller, fiddle; Tim Roeser, percussion; and Blake Radke, bass.
