In honor of Minnesota’s sesquicentennial, the Minnesota Valley Chorale of Mankato will represent the southwest region of the state at the Minnesota State Fair Saturday during a program called “Minnesota Voices.”

The program connects five of Minnesota’s most talented composers with six community choral groups to create new music that highlights the state’s history and choral heritage. The 35-member Minnesota Valley Chorale will premier an original composition during the event written by composer Brian Schmidt.

At the end of the concert, all six ensembles will come together as a choir of more than 300 voices and perform a new piece for the occasion.

“Our choir is excited to attend the State Fair and proud to represent the southwest region as part of the Minnesota Voices project,” said Rodney

Urtel, artistic director of the Minnesota Valley Chorale, in a press release. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of this statewide choral community, and to have the opportunity to showcase our region’s beauty and diversity through music on one of the state’s largest stages.”

“Minnesota Voices” is organized by St. Paul-based American Composers Forum (ACF), the nation’s premier composer service organization, in partnership with the Minnesota Chorale.

If you go

What

“Minnesota Voices,” a concert featuring five of Minnesota’s most talented composers with six community choruses, including the Minnesota Valley Chorale

When

2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Minnesota State Fair in the Bandshell on Cosgrove Street