The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to commissioning and performing the music of our time.  In September 2025, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård began his third season as music director.

Sarah Hicks is the Minnesota Orchestra’s principal conductor of Live at Orchestra Hall, a role in which she oversees planning for and conducts many concerts in the broad-spectrum series of popular music, jazz, Broadway classics, movie scores and other genres. She also conducted the Inside the Classics and Sam & Sarah series for ten seasons.

With over one billion streams, indie superstar Ben Rector released his newest album Color Up My World with Hailey Whitters in March 2024, following on the heels of his album The Joy of Music in March 2022. The latter album features several notable collaborations, including award-winning rapper Snoop Dogg, Grammy Award-winner and legendary musician Dave Koz, iconic jazz musician Kenny G and Taylor Goldsmith from folk rock band Dawes, as well as the YouTube sensation One Voice Children’s Choir.

Indiana-born singer-songwriter and pianist Jon McLaughlin first broke out with his 2007 debut Indiana, earning fans through heartfelt songwriting, virtuosic piano work and unforgettable live shows. Since then, he’s toured with Billy Joel, Kelly Clarkson and Adele, collaborated with Sara Bareilles and Demi Lovato, and even performed at the Academy Awards. His newest album, Scenarios (October 2025), marks a bold new chapter, featuring brand-new songs that showcase both his storytelling and signature piano-driven sound. This holiday season, Jon brings his beloved Home For The Holidays tour—featuring Morgan James, Kris Allen, David Davis and T.3—to 13 U.S. cities after two sold-out years in Carmel, Indiana.