Dance | Education | Film | Music | Theater | Visual Arts | Words | Artist Resources
Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association—With a membership of about 1000 MBOTMA marked its 25th anniversary in the year 2000. Its three major festivals are well established and the bluegrass and old-time music has never been better here in the Northland.
Classical
American Composers' Forum—The American Composers Forum seeks to support composers and develop new markets for their music. Founded in 1973 as the Minnesota Composers Forum, the ACF has grown from an innovative regional initiative into one of the nation's premier composer service organizations, with a home office in St. Paul, 10 chapters across the country, and 1,400 members. Forum members work in virtually every musical genre, including orchestral and chamber music, "world" music, opera and music theater, jazz and improvisational music, electronic and electro-acoustic music, and sound art.
Arrowhead Chorale—The Arrowhead Chorale is an auditioned civic choir based in the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior. The chorale seeks to bring fine performances of distinctive vocal ensemble literature to the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota, to Northern Wisconsin, and beyond. Its repertoire spans five centuries of Western Music traditions - sacred and secular, folksong and artsong, opera chorus and vocal jazz, music with humorous texts and occasional full operetta performances.
Bakken Trio—The Bakken Trio's mission is to explore and present works by local composers and rarely performed contemporary works in conjunction with standard piano trio literature.
Cantus Men's Choir—An all-male choir that explores musical genres like Inuit chant, Russian anthems, folk songs, and pop arrangements, then uses these pieces to explore the human experiences of love, war, pain, and joy.
Chamber Music Society of Minnesota—The CMSM seeks to promote top quality performance of classical and contemporary chamber music to a diverse regional audience, to welcome internationally acclaimed guest artists to perform and to teach in Minnesota, to commission and premiere new works by emerging and established composers, to cultivate young artists and audiences through master classes, residencies, and performances with Society artists, and to collaborate with other community organizations in multicultural and multimedia projects.
The Chopin Society—The Chopin Society presents an annual seres of five piano concerts, most of which are solo recitals. Events are held at the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center in St. Paul in a concert hall that fosters an intimate connection between artist and audience. Although the namehonors Frederic Chopin, the Society programs the works of a variety of composers, covering three centuries of piano repertoire. Performers are selected for their distinctive artistry and include pianists still building their careers as well as established veterans of the concert stage.
Dale Warland Singers—The Dale Warland Singers is recognized as one of the world's foremost a capella choral ensembles and prides itself on its commitment to commissioning and performing new choral music. The 40 voice professional choir is based in the Twin Cities.
Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra—Since its inception in 1932, the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra has proven to be a leading cultural organization in its region. It continues to perform programming that mixes 20th century American repertoire and contemporary commissioned works with the greatest classical works of Western European symphonic tradition. The D-SSO regularly features important soloists and presents a consistent portion of contemporary works by regional and national composers.
Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company—The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company (GSVLOC) was founded in 1979 to provide a performing opportunity for Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiasts in the Twin Cities. In addition to an annual fully staged production, the GSVLOC presents concerts that include choral and orchestral compositions of Sir Arthur Sullivan as well as other light opera works. As part of its mission, the company also assists schools and community organizations looking to perform the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, bringing these operettas to new generations.
Grand Symphonic Winds—Celebrating more than 15 years of music, Grand Symphonic Winds is dedicated to providing musicians the opportunity to perform music of many periods and styles while offering music-lovers throughout the Twin Cities area a chance to enjoy this same music. Under the leadership of Music Director Dr. Matthew George, GSW continues to grow as one of the most versatile and accomplished civic ensembles in the area.
Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies—The Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies is one of the nation's largest youth orchestra organizations, with seven school-year and three summer orchestras serving over 600 young musicians through the 12th grade. Its concert schedule includes fall, winter and spring concerts for all of its orchestras. GTCYS is committed to training young musicians, nurturing future performers, and developing new audiences.
Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra—The Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is Minnesota's most highly regarded civic orchestral ensemble. The mission of the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra is to serve two populations: its members and its audiences. For its members, the MSO provides an opportunity for skilled volunteer musicians to join together to perform symphonic music of all periods and styles at the highest artistic level. For its audiences, the MSO provides unique access to symphonic music by performing in a variety of neighborhoods throughout the metropolitan area at no charge.
Minnesota Chorale—The Minnesota Chorale is a nationally acclaimed symphonic chorus with a signature flexibility to perform masterfully in ensembles ranging from 20 to 200 voices. The chorale seeks to celebrate the human voice in its ability to educate, enrich, and inspire.
Minnesota Opera—The company now known as The Minnesota Opera was founded in 1963 when the Walker Art Center commissioned Dominick Argento to compose an opera for its performing arts program, Center Opera. Center Opera focused on the composition and performance of new works by American composers and, under the influence of the Walker Art Center, emphasized visual design. The company grew steadily and in 1969 became an independent entity, changing its name in 1971 to The Minnesota Opera. The Minnesota Opera has adopted bel canto —a philosophy of vocal production that centered around the capacity of the human voice to convey emotion beautifully—as its defining philosophy, a decision that not only informs some of its repertoire choices, but that guides all its opera productions.
Minnesota Orchestra—On November 5, 1903—only three weeks before the Wright brothers made the first airplane flight—the Minnesota Orchestra performed its inaugural concert. Founded as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, it changed its name to the Minnesota Orchestra in 1968. Under either name, it prides itself on having been, and continuing to be, an enterprising musical organization, earning distinction through eminent musical leadership, artistic innovation, and widespread community support.
Minnesota Sinfonia—The Minnesota Sinfonia was formed in 1989 as a community-based service organization, gearing the majority of its services to the families and children of the State of Minnesota. To further that end, all Sinfonia-sponsored programs remain free to the public and are held in centrally located and easily accessible locations. Now in its 13th season, the Sinfonia currently offers four programs: The Great Music Festival, Music in the Schools, Kids' Stuff, and Community Concerts.
Minnesota Youth Symphonies—Minnesota Youth Symphonies develops pride, self-esteem and discipline in young people through individual musical achievement; provides access and opportunity for artistic growth through a challenging program of orchestral literature; fosters a lifelong appreciation of classical music; and uplifts the community through the inspiring performances by dedicated young musicians.
Music in the Park—The Music in the Park series presents chamber music in a setting that fosters a bond among composers, performers, and audiences; to stimulate and deepen appreciation and understanding of music; to promote a professional standard of performance; and to encourage an American musical culture through commissioning and performing the music of American composers.
VocalEssence—Founded in 1969 as the Plymouth Music Series, VocalEssence is recognized internationally for its innovative exploration of music for voices and instruments. Each year, artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle leads an engaging series of concerts featuring the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers in music ranging from a cappella to symphonic. VocalEssence seeks to explore the interaction of voices and instruments through innovative programming of music, past and present. The organization is respected for commissioning new choral music and re-discovering lost treasures.
Rochester Civic Music—Rochester Civic Music is a City department that provides the community with opportunities for diverse and accessible musical and educational programs. Both a presenter and producer, Civic Music values the diversity of cultural expression and traditions, fosters the preservation and advancement of diverse musical genres, creates a sense of welcoming and belonging, enhances the enjoyment of life, and celebrates community when programming events.
Rochester Orchestra and Chorale—Founded in 1919, Rochester's own symphony and chorale became the only semi-professional ensemble to be administered by a city in America. In 1996 the RO&C declared independence. The organization aims to serve our community and region by preserving, nurturing, and advancing the art of music through high-quality performances that seek to touch the soul. The Rochester Orchestra and Chorale believes it is through the power and intimacy of live performance that music best conveys its message.
Rose Ensemble—Founded in January 1996, the Rose Ensemble is a musical ensemble that performs vocal music written before 1750. The ensemble resides at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. Called "young and daring," Rose's musicians have received critical acclaim for their ability to sing both as an ensemble and as individual soloists, while director Jordan Sramek has been lauded for his innovative programming.
St. Cloud Symphony—Founded in 1975, the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra serves area patrons with a varied repertoire while providing performance opportunities for talented area musicians. The approximately 90 musicians are drawn from the faculties of area colleges and high schools, their students and community residents.
St. John's Boys Choir—The St. John's Boys' Choir is a self-incorporated nonprofit arts organization offering local music education and performance to boys ages 8-14 in Central Minnesota. The mission of The St. John's Boys' Choir is to offer an enriching experience in music education with an emphasis on strong vocal music training, music literacy, music history, and appreciation.
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra—Hailed as America's premier chamber orchestra, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is internationally renowned for its artistic excellence and remarkable versatility of musical styles. Since its inception in 1959, the SPCO has sought to ensure the legacy of the art form by performing repertoire often overlooked by large orchestras and by commissioning new works. Over its 42-year history, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra has performed in virtually every major concert hall in the United States and has toured extensively in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Schubert Club—The Schubert Club promotes the art of music - particularly recital music, through education, performance and museum programs - and maintains a high standard of excellence.
South Dakota State University Shrine to Music Museum—Founded in 1973 on the campus of The University of South Dakota, America's Shrine to Music Museum & Center for Study of the History of Musical Instruments is one of the great institutions of its kind in the world. Its renowned collections, which include more than 10,000 American, European, and non-Western instruments from virtually all cultures and historical periods, are the most inclusive anywhere. The Museum also hosts a regular concert series.
South Dakota Symphony Orchestra—Besides concerts, the SDSO strives to provide educational opportunities to the entire state with a touring program featuring members of the Dakota String Quartet and the Dakota Wind Quintet. The orchestra is focused on music education, and also sponsors a Young Musician Competition each year.
Valley Chamber Chorale—The St. Croix Valley Chamber Chorale is a unique artistic organization dedicated to providing classical, contemporary, jazz, and sacred vocal performances of the highest caliber. Its programs reflect the rich cultural heritage of the St. Croix Valley while exploring and examining, through music, ethnic diversity represented throughout the Twin Cities area.
Folk
Minnesota Folk Festival—The mission of the Minnesota Folk Festival, Inc. is to present, teach, and promote traditional and contemporary music and dance and to introduce these arts to new audiences. This organization is about presenting festivals, building community, living our cultural expressions, and enriching the quality of life.
Minnesota Folk Artists Directory—Maintained by the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Minnesota Folk Artists Directory is a juried listing of individual folk artists and groups in Minnesota interested in public performance opportunities.
Jazz
Minnesota Jazz Online—This is the online component of the Artists' Quarter and a link to various jazz musicians and other jazz resources in Minnesota.
Twin Cities Jazz Society—The Twin Cities Jazz Society (TCJS) is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting jazz music in all of its forms. The organization was started in 1979 by Kyle Peterson and several other local jazz enthusiasts (including Leigh Kamman, host of MPR's Jazz Image) and now boasts over 1,100 current members and is still growing. It continues to sponsor concerts, workshops, and education programs in area schools and it has just begun a new scholarship program to help rising young local talent.
JazzMn—Formed as a non-profit organization in 1998, JazzMn adopted a mission to "promote, preserve, and perpetuate jazz, America's indigenous art music, through performance, historical preservation, and education." The JazzMn Big Band is a professional orchestra which follows the models of classical orchestras, striving for artistic excellence. The group combines the talents of outstanding jazz musicians from throughout the Twin Cities.
Northrup Jazz—Each year the Northrup Jazz series presents a series of jazz concerts at various venues in the Twin Cities.
New Music
American Composers Forum—The American Composers Forum seeks to support composers and develop new markets for their music. Founded in 1973 as the Minnesota Composers Forum, the ACF has grown from an innovative regional initiative into one of the nation's premier composer service organizations, with a home office in St. Paul, 10 chapters across the country, and 1,400 members. Forum members work in virtually every musical genre, including orchestral and chamber music, "world" music, opera and music theater, jazz and improvisational music, electronic and electro-acoustic music, and sound art.
Twin Cities Music Network—A directory of Twin Cities musicians of all different musical styles.
Minnesota Association of Songwriters—The Minnesota Association of Songwriters is a non-profit, member-supported community of songwriters from the Midwest. The MAS mission is to inspire, educate and promote the art and craft of songwriting. As a resource, the MAS is a connection between the writer, other music oriented organizations, and the music industry.
Venues
400 Bar—A cozy Minneapolis bar with a good stage presenting primarily rock bands.
Amazing Grace Bakery and Cafe—Amazing Grace opened in Duluth in June of 1995 as a "scratch" bakery, coffee shop, cafe, live music venue, and great place to hang out. It offers regular music concerts (featuring musicians like John Gorka, Bill Staines, Lucy Kaplansky and others)and hosts an open stage every Monday night.
target="_blank"Artists' Quarter—A local jazz musicians' favorite, presenting great local talent in a low key environment.
Cabooze—Your local bar for funk, blues, and reggae music. The Cabooze features annual tribute shows to Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley.
Cedar Cultural Center—The Cedar Cultural Center is committed to presenting the world's finest traditional performing artists. Located in Minneapolis, the Cedar is a non-profit organization hosting over 150 concerts, participatory dances, and community events each year. The Cedar is noted for the breadth of its programming, which features everything from American folk and blues to world beat and eclectic ethnic music, as well as for the unmatched quality of the many artists who grace its stage.
Dakota—A premiere venue for national jazz acts in a posh bar and restaurant environment.
Fine Line—A rock bar that gives one night up to new artists trying to get their break, gives local established talent the rest of the work week, and devotes its weekends to regionally and nationally known bands.
First Avenue—One of the nation's most legendary clubs, premiering more artists than we have time to mention here.
Jazzmine's—Formerly Cafe Solo, Jazzmine's is a swank modern club that focuses on contemporary, Latin, and funk jazz acts, as well as the blues.
Pioneer Place on Fifth—Located in Downtown St. Cloud, Pioneer Place on Fifth was originally built as an Elks Club in 1913. The grand granite pillars and regal steps made the building a landmark for the time. The mission of Pioneer Place on Fifth is to bring to St. Cloud high quality, professional music, theater and other artistic events to Minnesotans who would normally have to venture to the Twin Cities to enjoy.
Sacred Heart Music Center—The former Sacred Heart Cathedral was completed in 1896 and is now managed by the non-profit organization Sacred Heart Music Center. This group is dedicated to the preservation and renovation of the 100-year-old landmark and to providing a venue for performing arts in Duluth by regional, national and international artists.
Turf Club—Formerly a home to country two-stepping before line dancing became a cultural phenomenon, the Turf Club now draws alternative rockers who used to confine themselves to Minneapolis' Uptown, downtown, and Lake Street. Now it's one of the hippest hangouts in the Twin Cities, with music almost every night, sometimes by the odd national act. And some musicians have decided to reside in the neighborhood, lending a bohemian twist to an already diverse area.
