Bloomington Symphony Orchestra (Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bloomington Symphony Orchestra
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| Origin | Bloomington, Minnesota, United States |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation(s) | Symphony Orchestra |
| Years active | 1963-present |
| Associated acts | Normandale Choral Society, Angelica Cantanti |
| Members | Manny Laureano, Music Director Brianna Butler, President Michael Sutton, Concertmaster Sara Tan, General Manager |
The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is a group of talented musicians in Bloomington, Minnesota. It was started in 1963 by the city. The main goal was to share classical music with everyone in Bloomington. It also gave local musicians a place to play and improve their skills.
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The Orchestra's History
The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra began in 1963. Its founders were Gene Kelly, who worked for Bloomington's Parks & Recreation, and Paul W. "Doc" Evans. Doc Evans was a famous jazz musician. He was the orchestra's first music director until 1977.
Past Music Directors
Since Doc Evans, many great directors have led the BSO. These include Steven Amundson, William LaRue Jones, Akira Mori, and Joseph Schlefke. Today, Manny Laureano is the Music Director.
Who Plays in the BSO?
The orchestra is made up of different kinds of musicians. Some are not professional musicians, but they love to play. Others are professional musicians who work freelance. All of them are chosen after a tryout.
What They Play
Each year, the BSO performs four or five classical music concerts. They often feature soloists. These soloists can be students, college professors, or even musicians from the Minnesota Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Summer Concerts
Every summer, the BSO plays a special outdoor concert. This happens at the Lake Normandale Bandshell. It's part of Bloomington's "SummerFete" or "Arts in the Park" events. These concerts usually feature music from movies, show tunes, and lighter classical pieces.
Working with Others
The BSO loves to work with other arts groups in Bloomington.
Choral Performances
They have performed with children's choirs like Angelica Cantanti. They also play with the Normandale Choral Society. Together, they have performed big musical works. These include Carmina Burana by Orff and A German Requiem by Brahms. They have also played The Planets by Holst and Mahler's Symphony#2 "Resurrection".
Bloomington Kennedy High School's women's choir, "Viva Voce," has also joined the BSO. They performed Debussy's Nocturnes.
Ballet Collaborations
The BSO has even worked with the Continental Ballet Company. They performed a full show of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. This is a very popular ballet.
Community Events
Smaller groups of musicians from the orchestra also play music for different events and organizations in Bloomington.
Reaching Out to Communities
The BSO tries to share classical music with more people. They perform in other towns and rural areas in Minnesota. This helps more residents experience high-quality classical music.
How the Orchestra is Supported
The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra gets its money from several places.
- Companies and individuals donate money.
- They hold special events to raise funds.
- The musicians who play in the orchestra pay dues.
- They also receive a grant from the City of Bloomington.
The BSO is a non-profit organization in Minnesota. This means it uses its money to support its mission, not to make a profit.
Leadership of the BSO
A group of people called the board of directors manages the orchestra. This board includes both musicians and people from the community.
Currently, the BSO is led by:
- Brianna Butler, who is the President
- Manny Laureano, the Music Director and Conductor
- Michael Sutton, the Concertmaster
- Sara Tan, the General Manager
