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Music is the soul of the community, without the arts we would have nothing." - Judith
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We actually attended the concert before the first concert [when the original hall was built in 1974] as guests of an employee of HGA –[it was] the concert for the builders of the hall [so they had] free tickets. During all these years between we have enjoyed pop concerts, children's concerts with my young students, and lovely evenings outside the hall." - Beverly
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I love Orchestra Hall. One of my best memories was an Itzhak Perlman performance many years ago. Best because the performance was exquisite. Mr. Perlman and the pianist performed on the stage alone and occupied the stage area to the left of center. Friends had given us tickets they couldn't use—top row of Tier 3 on the stage left side, seats 1 and 3. As I said, the music was exquisite, but I never saw Mr. Perlman or the pianist all night. Because it was a popular concert, seating was available on the stage—stage right. As we listened to Mr. Perlman's beautiful music, we watched the audience seated on stage. Great memory!" - Stephanie
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Thanks for the memories! So many moments of joy, sorrow, inspiration and just plain fun. Scandinavia today, all the Scandinavian Royalty present in tiaras and medals, Neville Marriner conducting, Judith Blegen, Hoken Hagagard, Victor Borge performing and the great Minnesota Orchestra finale—Finlandia. The Orchestra was brilliant, the Maestro was charming, the performers were world class and Minnesotans looked great in white-tie and tails!" - Marilyn
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One of the most fantastic experiences of my child's life was getting to rehearse Suite from Der Rosenkavalier side-by-side with the MN Orchestra when he was in MYS Symphony Orchestra, and I cherish the opportunities I had to see him perform in that wonderful hall as well." - Kathie
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As a fourteenth birthday present my mother gave me tickets to see my favorite violinist in concert. It was my first time seeing the Minnesota Orchestra, and I was completely dazzled by everything I saw and heard. Then, as if the performance itself wasn't great enough, the backstage staff arranged for me to say hi to my violin idol during intermission. I literally can't imagine a greater introduction to high-level music-making. I went back to the hotel and collapsed and cried for joy that such beauty was possible. Eight years later, I'm planning to study music history and music journalism. I can trace my passion for those subjects directly back to that steamy summer evening at Orchestra Hall." - Emily
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My first job in college was working as an usher at Minnesota Orchestra Hall when I was 18. I loved being a part of something special and seeing great artists perform and being surrounded by beautiful music and exceptional talent. It was a wonderful escape from the busy life of college. In college I took Women's and Concert Choir at the University of Minnesota under Kathy Romey and was able to perform many times at Orchestra Hall. 16 years later, I still attend Orchestra Hall as a patron. From its beautiful lobby, acoustic theatre, amazing conductors and musicians right in the heart of Minneapolis how can you go wrong? I love that I was able to be a part of the Orchestra Hall growing up and now that I am married and have a daughter I will bring them and continue to be a patron and support these wonderful gifts that the Minnesota Orchestra has given the city of Minneapolis." - Abbie
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Earlier this year, I received some complimentary tickets to the Season Sampler. My 14-year-old daughter had recently started high school and her group of middle school friends had scattered to five different schools. One thing they have always had in common is the love of music. A typical slumber party includes impromptu recitals and jam sessions as someone always brings a violin or a clarinet or heads over to the piano. Since these friends have tried to get together at least once a month since saying "good bye" last summer, I thought they might like to attend a Minnesota Orchestra concert together. Sure enough, they were thrilled. Have you ever driven a carload full of 14 year old girls to an evening at Orchestra Hall? Put it on your bucket list. The positive energy and enthusiasm in that car could power Minneapolis for a week. And the Season Sampler was perfect as each girl had her own as well as shared favorites. I did not realize that 14-year-olds included orchestra members on their list of idols—but they do. Thanks for making a memory for a carload of girls and a grateful mom." - Adele
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During the 12 years I lived in Excelsior (1977 through 1988) I attended the Coffee Concerts, which included a fashion show with coffee & donuts before the concert. It was the same music that would be performed at evening concerts during that week. I particularly enjoyed the concerts directed by Charles Dutoit, the Canadian director. Now that I live in Florida I appreciate those concerts, since I am two hours away from any symphony orchestra." - Alice
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It was the summer of my 5th grade year at Pike Lake Elementary School and I was in my first weeks of violin lessons when our conductor announced that we would be going to Orchestra Hall for a tour and to hear the Orchestra; I believe it was 1975. Having come from a musical family, my aunt in particular was thrilled at the prospect of me meeting (and I did) Neville Mariner. While my career as a virtuoso violinist fizzled, my memories of Conductor Mariner introduced me to a world of magnificent sounds and beauty which is Orchestra Hall." - Amy O.
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Without doubt my favorite memory is Bobby McFerrin's final performance as a conductor when he re-enacted the entirety of The Wizard of Oz in about 10 minutes. I will never forget it." - Amy Z.
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Our 18-month-old experienced his first orchestra concert this July at the Target Free Family concert. He was one of the youngest that we saw going into the hall, but we knew he loved music and it would be a fantastic experience for him. We found an exceptional set of seats up in a box, where he had a great view from our laps. He sat in silent awe, until the Ives! I was the one holding him when the Ives started and he got so squirmy that I couldn't keep him on my lap. He started whispering, "Dad, Door. Dad, Door" and then climbed up to the door and tried to open it. My husband quickly followed, and took him into the hall where he happily wandered about. They tried to come back in but he wouldn't re-enter the hall. By the time they tried again, the Ives had finished—he bounced back in, climbed back onto my lap and sat, again mesmerized, until the end of the concert. Apparently opinions on Ives form young." - Anne
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Shortly after Orchestra Hall opened, my store Jackson Graves did fashion shows prior to many Coffee Concerts. This went on for many years. It was well received and very popular with Orchestra Hall guests. It was very good for our store and the patrons kept asking for more." - Barry
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October 16, 2002. Vänskä conducted the world premiere of Yi°: Concerto for Orchestra by Tan Dun. That concert at orchestra hall is ingrained in my memory because I was there that night on a first date with my eventual best friend and wife! We have returned many times since—but it was the abstract music of Dun at Orchestra Hall that brought us together for the first time." - Ben
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I first heard the Minneapolis Symphony somewhere around 1950 in an outreach program for students in Faribault Minnesota. Antal Dorati was there on the stage conducting. Those were the days of no hi-fi or stereo—just static radio music, jukeboxes and 78 rmp discs. When I heard the full orchestra and especially the violins I could not—still cannot—believe the experience. I have been a fan ever since and now at age 75 listening to classical music is my number one activity." - Bill D.
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Our Orchestra Hall has served so many people so well, thanks to all its musicians, its ushers and all the rest of the men and women who gave it their best. They have given us the best of experiences—and now the best of memories. For me and my beloved, one great experience was the closing night of Scandinavian Today. All of us on the main floor came in our best formal attire. Scandinavian Today's gracious leader, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, shared her delight as she spoke from the stage, making us all feel like royalty, as we settled back for an outstanding concert by our Minnesota Orchestra.
Ever since then when I arrive to concerts in Orchestra Hall that evening of celebration, hosted so graciously, comes to my mind afresh—giving me again the readiness to soak in the magnificent music and accept its power for renewing the beauty of life. If the architects, craftsmen and others soon to renovate this marvelous place give those of us in the audience what we need, and all of us contribute generously to fund their work, we will return to Orchestra Hall, continuing to evoke such memories." - Bill W.
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Our first date (Dec. 6, 1974) was a concert at Orchestra Hall. We were married in May of 1975 and have been season ticket holders ever since. In the early years we parked blocks away to save money and had partial-view seats. Now we park in the ramp and have comfortable full-view seats in Tier 2. Thank you Minnesota Orchestra for wonderful music and memories." - Bob and Barb
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It has been my honor and pleasure to have the orchestra use my instrument in many concerts. The most memorable time was when I got a call at 4:30 one afternoon saying it would be needed for a 7:30 program with James Galway. It got there." - Bradley
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My first visit to the orchestra was in the fifth grade. Thanks to my remarkable teacher Mr. Tulloch, after lunch we listened to selections we would hear on our field trip to the Minneapolis Orchestra. I didn't understand until later how lucky our class was to have a teacher who prepared us to better appreciate our first live musical performance. Our class sat in the balcony. We were able to identify woodwinds, strings, and percussion instruments. At the time I thought it was all about being surprised only to discover the more I knew about music, the more I enjoyed what I heard. All these years later, I'm still filled with excitement all day when I'll be attending a concert in the evening. Thank you, Minnesota Orchestra." - Caralyn
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Three years ago, I became a Big Sister through the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. One of the things that was most important to me was to give my 9-year-old Little Sister some new experiences that she had never had before. I had been enjoying concerts at Orchestra Hall, and decided to get a package of events that my Little Sister and I could go to. She had never been to Orchestra Hall or to that kind of a concert ever before. The first concert we went to see was a Broadway-style concert with the Minnesota Orchestra. It was a type of music she had not experienced before. She was one of the only children amongst a sea of adults that attended the concert that night. She enjoyed the music and loved the Broadway singers who sang along with the Orchestra. It was so special to see the joy in her face as she experienced this new adventure. After the concert, she had many patrons ask her how she liked the concert. She was very excited to tell them that she loved it. It was a wonderful night!" - Carol
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Ever since we moved to Edina with three young children in 1996, our family attended every Messiah concert. Now the kids are grown with their own families, and they have continued this wonderful tradition and fondly remember what a unique and moving experience these performances were for all of us. As an added note, one of the reasons the kids participated in Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies was for the thrill of performing, on stage, at Orchestra Hall!" - Christina
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Stories of Orchestra Hall memories span almost 18 years encompassing the education our children, family date nights with our four children, and adult date nights with friends. As a homeschooling family, we attended many Young People's Concerts. Peter and the Wolf is a standout in that venue as we recall the bicycle with a box mounted on the front which represented the Wolf. Our first family date night was with our two boys attending a concert featuring Doc Severenson and Joseph Wolverton. Our boys were less than enthused that evening as we traveled to the concert knowing it was for 'adults.' That evening, they found out—first hand—that the literal roar of a crowd meant 'bringing down the house.' As I glanced their direction, they were energetically clapping their hands while expressing, "That was fun!"
The Weekender Pops series has afforded our family and friends opportunities to see and hear many artists. We will forever be smiling at Doc Severenson's sporting of glittery jackets, fancy socks, and leather pants which complemented a talent that far surpassed our knowledge of what he brought to the figurative table. The list could go on of those artists who are part of current-day music history we encountered at Orchestra Hall. It's mind-boggling! In later years, we integrated our two daughters into family date nights and have wonderful memories, on which we verbally reflect together, of our together times which started out with restaurant reservations and ended with an OH concert. We gave our family the gift of top-quality music in a phenomenal setting. Those memories, while cost-inducing, are priceless." - Connie
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Last year my friend and I were waiting to enter the concert hall for the evening's performance when we saw Vice President Walter Mondale and his wife, Joan just ahead of us. I was a bit star-struck when they were seated just in front of us. This year I gave my son and husband tickets to the Wynton Marsalis concert. They were surprised and pleased when, after taking their seats, two good friends from church sat down right beside them. All hugely enjoyed the chance meeting as well as the superb concert. My point is this: All of Minnesota has access to this wonderful orchestra in the most egalitarian way. How quintessentially American and Minnesotan!" - Cynthia
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We were living in Eau Claire, Wisconsin when Lutheran Brotherhood provided us with and other Lutheran pastors with free admission. There are three ELS churches in Eau Claire and a member of one of the congregations had a mobile home, in which we traveled that cold night, with about 9 in that mobile home. I remember we and two others had a box seat on the left and could look down on all congregated. This was the first time I heard a live performance of The Messiah. The Orchestra was marvelous." - Daphne
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Back in the late 70s as a young family we decided to attend the Handel's Messiah concert to expose our children to this beautiful music. Our son at the time was about 6 or 7 years old. Our children were well behaved even though it might have been too long a concert for them. At one point during the concert we heard snoring and then snickering from nearby concert goers. We looked around to see who was snoring. It was our son who had fallen asleep. I am so glad everyone was tolerant of his snoring and found it amusing." - Elaine
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