Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp Offers Immersion Experience for Amateur Musicians, Sept. 15-16

First-ever Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp, September 15-16, gives adult amateur musicians the unique opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall

Experience includes two rehearsals, public concert, breakout sessions; Sarah Hicks conducts

(July 7, 2011) -- The Minnesota Orchestra today announced plans for the first-ever Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp, a two-day orchestral immersion experience offering amateur musicians the one-of-a-kind opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Orchestra—playing side by side with Orchestra musicians onstage at Orchestra Hall—and to participate in a range of backstage activities with Orchestra musicians and staff.

The camp will be held on Thursday, September 15, and Friday, September 16, and includes two side-by-side rehearsals and a general clinic, all led by conductor Sarah Hicks; breakout sessions divided by individual sections of the orchestra; a seminar providing an insider’s view of Orchestra programming, led by members of the Orchestra’s artistic planning team; and additional backstage activities. The camp culminates in a public “Season Sampler” concert on the evening of September 16, in which participants will take the stage with Orchestra musicians to perform Alexander Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances, with Hicks conducting.

“This is an experience designed for music lovers who have dreamed about what it would feel like to make music onstage at Orchestra Hall with the Minnesota Orchestra,” says Jim Bartsch, the Orchestra’s director of educational activities. “We’re thrilled to open the Minnesota Orchestra’s ranks with this program, and invite amateur musicians onstage and behind the scenes for the ultimate interactive experience.”

Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp is intended for adults who are proficient players of a standard orchestral string, woodwind or brass instrument, or percussion or harp. Additional information and application materials are available at minnesotaorchestra.org/fantasycamp. Applicants will be selected to participate based on their musical background, current musical activities and other application materials. The cost to participate in the two-day camp is $500.

More about Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp
Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp is designed as a fun, friendly, and non-competitive program, with no audition necessary. Applications will be accepted from Friday, July 8, to Monday, August 22. Up to 50 applicants will be selected for the camp; applicants will be notified of their status by Monday, August 29.

Camp participants will rehearse and perform Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances. Individual orchestral parts of that work are available for download on the Orchestra’s website. Participants will be responsible for having their part rehearsal-ready by the beginning of the camp on September 15.

Included in the participation fee are a disc of professional photographs from the experience; a complimentary copy of the Orchestra’s latest CD recording, signed by Music Director Osmo Vänskä; and up to 10 VIP tickets for friends and family to attend the evening concert on September 16.

Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp
Tentative schedule

Thursday, September 15, 2011 / Orchestra Hall

9:30 a.m. Welcome and general clinic with Sarah Hicks and staff
10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Minnesota Orchestra rehearsal (observe first half, play second half)
12:30-1:30 p.m. Rehearsal re-cap with Sarah Hicks and staff

Friday, September 16, 2011 / Orchestra Hall

9:30 a.m. Continental breakfast and Rehearsal Room warm-up
10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Minnesota Orchestra rehearsal (observe first half, play second half)
1:30-3:30 p.m. Breakout sessions by section with Minnesota Orchestra musicians
5-6:30 p.m. Dinner and inside look at programming with Minnesota Orchestra artistic planning team
7 p.m. Group photo and session with Sarah Hicks
8 p.m. Minnesota Orchestra “Season Sampler” concert (play Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances on second half)
post-concert Dessert reception with participants and guests

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For full information about Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp, visit minnesotaorchestra.org/fantasycamp, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Director of Educational Activities Jim Bartsch at (612) 371-5650.

Delta Air Lines is the official airline of the Minnesota Orchestra’s 2011-12 season.

The Star Tribune is the Minnesota Orchestra’s media partner for the 2011-12 season.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the State’s general fund and its arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

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PRESS CONTACTS:
Gwen Pappas, Director of Public Relations
(612) 371-5628 • This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sandi Brown, Public Relations Coordinator
(612) 371-5641 • This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.