Minnesota Orchestra Musicians Around Town
When Minnesota Orchestra musicians aren’t at Orchestra Hall, you can find many of them around the Twin Cities and beyond in other types of musical performances such as solo recitals and concerts with chamber music groups, concerto appearances with other orchestras, forays into rock music, stage productions and more. Some of the Orchestra’s musicians are skilled composers, arrangers, conductors and recording artists, to name just a few of their talents. Taking on outside projects gives them chances to flex musical muscles that aren’t engaged as often in a typical Orchestra setting—while expanding musicians’ tool kits in ways that often come in handy at Orchestra performances.
On this continually updating page you’ll find details about Minnesota Orchestra musicians’ local performances beyond the confines of Orchestra Hall. Meanwhile, another opportunity to get to know the musicians in new ways right here at Orchestra Hall is at our Symphony in 60 concerts—hour-long performances with a 6 p.m. start time and other enhancements including a post-concert onstage gathering. Upcoming Symphony in 60 concerts include Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 on May 11, 2024.
Musicians Around Town
On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 7 p.m. at Normandale Lake Bandshell in Minneapolis, Principal Trumpet Manny Laureano will conduct the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra in a free outdoor performance of excerpts from favorite operas and musicals composed by Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Strauss, George Gershwin and Richard Rodgers. (Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or a blanket for general lawn seating.) Laureano, who joined the Orchestra in 1981 and is the ensemble’s longest-serving current principal musician, has been the Bloomington Symphony’s music director since 2013.
On Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, the Isles Ensemble will perform a special fundraising concert celebrating the ensemble’s 20th anniversary. Members of the Isles Ensemble include Minnesota Orchestra violinists Natsuki Kumagai and Emily Switzer; violists Sifei Cheng, Kenneth Freed and Sarah Switzer; and former Assistant Concertmaster Stephanie Arado.
