Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra

The Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra, an instrumental voice for the LGBTQIA+ community.

The Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra (originally Minnesota Philharmonia)  was founded in 1993 by Kevin Ford, a gay man who had a vision of a gay and lesbian orchestra that would build community and fellowship through the performance of classical music.

Although Kevin succumbed to complications from HIV-AIDS in 1995, the organization he created continues to grow and diversify 15 years later. Today, the MPO includes players from a wide variety of backgrounds and orientations who share a commitment to inclusivity, nondiscrimination, and to the performance of works by underrepresented composers.

Your gift for Give to the Max Day enables us to build a supportive community and to share transformative musical experiences with you. It provides space for our musicians to practice their craft, and it pays up-and-coming composers to create meaningful and beautiful works for us to present. Above all, your donation allows us to thrive as Minnesota’s only LGBTQIA+ orchestra, creating a community of musicians that provide opportunities to support each other and perform outstanding music together.