Luther student Cahlander's mosaic violin raises $1,000 for Minnesota Orchestra

Where words fail, music speaks.

Those words are depicted on the mosaic violin created for the Minnesota Orchestra by Bailey Cahlander, a Luther College student from Chanhassen, Minn.  Her artwork recently sold for $1,000 at a silent auction fundraiser for the Orchestra.

Her mosaic violin was purchased at the Orchestra Symphony Ball's silent auction by Osmo Vänskä, the music director of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Cahlander was one of five artists commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra to create artworks based on a violin provided by WAMSO-Minnesota Orchestra Volunteer Association, the primary fund-raising organization for the orchestra.

Each of the five artists used their distinctive talent to transform a simple violin into a unique piece of artwork.

"My violin is something of a visual bridge between music and art--both creative outlets," said Cahlander. "Where words fail, music speaks, displayed on a work of art."

Cahlander, the daughter of Karla Cahlander of Chanhassen, is a 2008 graduate of Chaska High School. She is majoring in art at Luther College.

Vänskä, a critically acclaimed and internationally renowned conductor, joined the Minnesota Orchestra in 2003.  Since that time, he has been named conductor of the year by Musical America, led several critically-lauded European tours, and conducted the Orchestra's performance that received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Orchestra Recording.
"I'm honored by the experience" said Cahlander, "and by the opportunity to display my work in a professional setting."

For more information about the WAMSO, visit the website http://www.wamso.org.