The builders of Orchestra Hall were devoted to creating a performance space with superb acoustics, and they succeeded--making our Orchestra Hall a coveted concert destination for the world's greatest musicians, and giving Minnesota audiences concert experiences that made them the envy of other communities across the country and beyond. Those early builders chose to focus on the auditorium, the heart of the building, while planning a modest "temporary" lobby and shell that were expected to last up to 15 years, when they would be replaced with more appropriate structures. Thirty-nine years and 10 million patrons later, the renovation is long overdue.

The Building for the Future campaign addresses issues that will improve the entire concert-going experience for every patron who enters Orchestra Hall. It will also connect the building more directly with its community--in terms of educational activities and special community events as well as the magical performances for which Orchestra Hall has always been known. The majority of funds raised through the campaign will be used for the first significant renovation of Orchestra Hall since it was built in 1974.  Funds will also be used to support innovative programs featuring artistic, educational and technological initiatives and to increase the Orchestra’s endowment. With your help, this initiative will maintain our world-class orchestra as a cornerstone for the community, responsive to changing needs, and the source of inspiration to individuals of all ages for future generations.

For more than a century, the Minnesota Orchestra has been enriching the state through the undeniable power of music. Walk through our timeline and enjoy some of our proudest Orchestra Hall moments throughout the years.