UPbeat Greater Minnesota was launched in February 2005 with a Young People's Concert, conducted by Music Director Osmo Vänskä, in Willmar, MN. Weeks later, in early March, a string quartet visited Virginia, MN for two days marking the beginning of an UPbeat partnership with that town. Brainerd will join as the third UPbeat partner in January of 2006 when Orchestra musicians travel there to perform and coach student instrumentalists.
UPbeat Greater Minnesota builds on the foundation of more than a decade of residencies the Orchestra has undertaken in communities across the state. An UPbeat community enters into a three-year partnership with the Orchestra, planning a variety of activities uniquely suited to them,
bringing the musicians and music of the Minnesota Orchestra to their community. Activities may include chamber ensemble residencies, master classes for school and community performing ensembles, school visits and presentations, public concerts, professional development opportunities for area artists and educators and a full Minnesota Orchestra concert in the community during a state tour. There are three communities in partnership at any given time with a new community included as another completes the program.
For more information about this program, contact Mele Willis at
mwillis@mnorch.org or 612.371.7158.
UPbeat Greater Minnesota is made possible in part by a generous gift from the Bush Foundation.
