Heartland Symphony Orchestra

Heartland Symphony Orchestra is a 50-piece volunteer, nonprofit, community orchestra serving Brainerd, Little Falls and surrounding areas.

The Heartland Symphony Orchestra (HSO) was incorporated in 1977 by a group of musicians from Little Falls and Brainerd. Hazel Johnson Wunsch was the first conductor of the orchestra. Today it has grown to a 50-piece volunteer community orchestra with players of all ages. The Symphony's goals are to bring orchestral music to concertgoers in our area, to acquaint young people with the beauty of classical music, and to provide an opportunity for trained musicians to play together regularly.

HSO is unique because it is not based in one community, but draws its players and concertgoers from a large area in central Minnesota. The fall, winter, and spring concerts presented each season are performed in both Little Falls and Brainerd, and sometimes in surrounding communities upon request. Weekly rehearsals alternate between Little Falls and Brainerd.

The orchestra is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, half of whom are from the Brainerd area and half from the Little Falls area. These board members actively serve on committees concerning all aspects of running the orchestra. HSO also employs the Conductor/Music Director, Orchestra Manager, and Operations Director.