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 intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. This past fall, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård began his tenure as music director.

American conductor Kyle Dickson has built a reputation as an inspiring and compelling presence on the podium. In 2023 he was named the assistant conductor for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Memphis Youth Symphony Program. The recipient of the 2021 Grant Park Music Festival Advocate for the Arts Award, the Concert Artists Guild's Richard S. Weinert Award and the Joel Revzen Conducting Fellowship, Dickson recently completed the Salonen Conducting Fellowship with the San Francisco Symphony and the Colburn School under the guidance of Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen.

29:11 International Exchange is a music ministry based in South Africa and the United States. Its mission is to facilitate hope and reconciliation through musical performance and collaboration, artist development and cross-cultural relationships. By recognizing that each of us is worthy of understanding and love, we can bridge the ideological, racial and socio-economic gaps that divide us, and live together as citizens of the world.

Brian Grandison has worked as an actor, writer, director, professor, and artist in residence in the Twin Cities, around the country and internationally. He was a member of the acting company at the Guthrie Theater and has performed in plays at Mixed Blood, Illusion theater, History Theater, Theater Latte Da, Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Full Circle Theater and most recently at New Dawn Theater.