Owatonna Symphony Orchestra

In 2012, after a three-year hiatus during which there was no community symphony, several members of the then Owatonna Community Orchestra connected with Bruce Gleason to investigate relaunching what had been a vibrant regional ensemble founded by John Anderson. Gathering past musicians along with new members, and finding sources for orchestral scores and parts, 47 musicians gathered on Monday, February 25, 2013 in the Owatonna High School orchestra rehearsal room to begin preparation for their Sunday, April 7 re-debut at St. John Lutheran Church. In this group were teachers, business people, physicians, professional musicians, homemakers, college professors and high school and college students. After six diligent rehearsals, Dr. Gleason led the orchestra in a concert that was by all accounts a resounding success—performing a balanced repertoire of Jean Sibelius's Karelia Suite, Opus 11; Albert W. Ketèlbey's Bells Across the Meadows; Franz Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 39 and Johann Strauss's Radetsky March.

 

In 2013 a board of directors was formed with the intent of incorporating the ensemble under the new name of the Owatonna Symphony Orchestra (OSO) and in forming a non-profit 501(c)(3). Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation were written and filed with the State of Minnesota and IRS. We received word in May 2014 that our request for tax exempt status has been approved, that we are now a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and that contributions to the OSO are tax deductible for Federal and Minnesota Income Tax purposes. In June 2014 we received confirmation concerning our tax exempt status with the state of Minnesota.

 

On Sunday, April 27, 2014, Dr. Gleason conducted the first concert of the orchestra under the new name of the Owatonna Symphony Orchestra again at St. John Lutheran Church to another large, appreciative audience.  Although the name of the orchestra has been changed, the intent of the ensemble continues to be one of educating audiences by performing a broad spectrum of orchestral literature—traditional, historic and contemporary—with the purpose of providing amateur and professional musicians with a positive outlet for their musical abilities and to share these with the public.

We are committed to keeping our concerts low cost or free in order to allow everyone in the community to attend and learn an appreciation for the arts. In 2018, we are looking forward to local high school band director, Peter Guenther, conducting the Symphony. We will be performing in a new venue for our major concert in April, and are looking forward to adding some additional small-group performances as well. Thank you for your support as we work to foster appreciation for the arts in communities around southern Minnesota!