Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra

WASO brings compelling concerts, high level guest artists, and artistic excellence to the Willmar Area communities.

In 1957, a few friends got together to try some simple string ensemble pieces. Today, the number has grown to over 50 talented, dedicated, and fun-loving artists. Musicians of WASO continue to donate their time and talents, all for the love of music making and dedication to presenting quality concerts for Willmar Area communities. 

For our upcoming season, WASO is excited to bring orchestral music to the Willmar area.  Here are a few highlights from this concert season.

This past summer, the orchestra played two summer pops concerts, one in conjunction with Prairie Fest in Clara City and one in Willmar at the Willmar Education and Arts Center (WEAC).  

In October 2024, WASO held our fall family concert with a theme of "Wings and Wilderness".  This concert featured selections from Carnival of the Animals, Movement No. 1 from Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 and "The Oak" by Florence Price.  There were activities for kids and adults alike before the concert, including stations to make leaf sun catchers and pine cone bird feeders, opportunities to take pictures with area bird mascots and demonstrations of bird wood carving.

In December 2024, we are very excited to perform a "Winter" concert.  It will feature both traditional and modern Christmas and holiday seasonal music.  We will also perform the Hallelujah Chorus with area singers and other audience sing along pieces.   

We will be performing a concert with a "Masterworks" theme in March 2025.  In addition to Symphony No. 6 by Beethoven, this concert will feature our very own first viola player Joshua Pierskalla on the Telemann Viola Concerto in G Major.

We also continue to be dedicated to encouraging and developing the young musicians and artists of our area. We will feature winners from our Young Artist's Competition at our May 2025 concert.   The orchestra will also perform Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony.

For a complete season listing, visit www.willmarorchestra.com/. 

WASO relies on grants, business sponsors, and more importantly on its dedicated membership and audience for financial support.  

For 2024, WASO has a goal to raise $5000. Money will be used to:

- Bring outstanding guest artist to the Willmar area

- Purchase sheet music and scores

- Continue to support the Young Artist competition

- Secure rehearsal and performance space

- Hire auxiliary players 

WASO is governed by passionate, transparent, and professional board of directors - your contribution will be used wisely. Thank you for supporting Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra.