Our Journey with You Through Music

Calming. Cool. Intense. Explosive. Emotive.

Photography by Darrell Owens

These are just a few words to describe music and the effect it has on our senses. Emerging from the tumult of the last few years and with 45 years of leadership and growth to guide us, we're seeking to evolve our role in the community through the programs we present and the works we commission.

Subsequently, the word that we've been contemplating as we look ahead has been this:

Transformative.

With support from donors like you, we're already hard at work engaging underrepresented composers, both national and international, in writing new repertoire for the concert band. We recently led a consortium to bring forward a work, Vulnerable Joy, from Australian composer Jodie Blackshaw.

We were able to sync our schedules with Jodie to workshop the piece during rehearsals - truly unique and enriching for all involved, but most especially our concertgoers who come to enjoy the fruits of our labor! Minnesota Symphonic Winds had the opportunity to premiere this piece at the Iowa Bandmaster Association Conference in May. Minnesota audiences heard us perform the work locally last June. Photography by Darrell Owens

Looking ahead we have a number of new compositions in progress including one special piece that we have commissioned for an event that we'll be holding in 2024. While we aren't ready to share details just yet, these are major commitments that are simply not possible without your exceptional support

Though this fundraiser is not dedicated solely to the effort of commissioning music, engaging in these large-scale projects are a vital means to cultivating change and growth over time within our community. You might be surprised to know that a gift of $250 often covers the cost of membership to a commission consortium!

Gifts of all shapes and sizes are welcome! We can't emphasize enough even the humblest of donation has a positive effect on our organization. We are truly a community-driven group - with the exception of our Winter Jubilee, all our concerts are free. Even if you can't make a donation today, we'd love to see your face in the audience.

Our next concert will be on December 11th, 3PM at Edina High School's Fick Auditorium. This is our staple event where we fill the air with festive sounds and hold our annual silent auction. We hope to see you there!

Photography by Darrell Owens