Sunday, May 17, 2026
4:00 p.m.

Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Featuring: Kevin Kling, narrator & Emily Kristen Morris, soprano

Sunday, September 28, 2025
4:00 p.m.

Augustana Lutheran Church, West Saint Paul

Featuring: Andrew Jacob, organ

Hector Berlioz,
Roman Carnival Overture
Gabriel Fauré,
Pavane
Camille Saint-Saëns,
Symphony No. 3

Enjoy this French “fine dining” musical experience with three remarkable composers. Known for his thrilling orchestrations, Hector Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture features a gorgeous love song and a rousing carnival scene.  You’ll love Gabriel Fauré’s beautifully lyric Pavane, in which our MSO principal flautist, Erica Bennett will shine. We conclude the program with one of the great 19th c. Romantic symphonies:  Camille Saint-Saens’ monumental Symphony No. 3 – the “Organ” Symphony, an uplifting musical journey with an abundance of sublime introspection, intense drama, and epic grandiosity. We’re pleased to return to Augustana Lutheran Church, which is known to have one of the Twin Cities’ finest organs. And we’re grateful to Augusta’s music director and organist, Andrew Jacob, for sharing his talents on the “King Of Instruments.”

Sponsored by BankCherokee and Hellmuth & Johnson

Enjoy this French “fine dining” musical experience with three remarkable composers. Known for his thrilling orchestrations, Hector Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture features a gorgeous love song and a rousing carnival scene.  You’ll love Gabriel Fauré’s beautifully lyric Pavane, in which our MSO principal flautist, Erica Bennett will shine. We conclude the program with one of the great 19th c. Romantic symphonies:  Camille Saint-Saens’ monumental Symphony No. 3 – the “Organ” Symphony, an uplifting musical journey with an abundance of sublime introspection, intense drama, and epic grandiosity. We’re pleased to return to Augustana Lutheran Church, which is known to have one of the Twin Cities’ finest organs. And we’re grateful to Augusta’s music director and organist, Andrew Jacob, for sharing his talents on the “King Of Instruments.”

Saturday, October 25, 2025,
4:00 p.m.

Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota

Presented in collaboration with VocalEssence

Gustav Holst,
Indra (Steven Amundson, conductor)
Shruthi Rajasekar,
Sarojini (American premiere, Philip Brunelle, conductor)

Presenting an early, rarely performed work by Gustav Holst, the MSO opens the concert with Indra, based on the Hindu god of the sky and storms. Next, the MSO joins Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence for the U.S. premiere performance of composer Shruthi Rajesekar’s Sarojini, a brilliant work for orchestra, choir, and Indian instruments.  Named by The Guardian as a composer “who will enrich your life,” Shruthi Rajasekar is an Indian-American musician examining identity, community, and joy. Sarojini is a multi-movement work that explores the Indian Independence movement and the impact of Indian activist and poet, Sarojini Naidu.  This is a ticketed event through VocalEssence.

Sunday, November 16, 2025
4:00 p.m.

Roseville Lutheran Church, Roseville

Hector Berlioz — Roman Carnival Overture
Gabriel Fauré — Pavane
Camille Saint-Saëns — Symphony No. 3 (Scherzo)
Camille Saint-Saëns — Danse Bacchanale from Samson and Delila
Paul Dukas — Fanfare from La Péri
Maurice Ravel — Pavane for a Dead Princess
Georges Bizet — Incidental music from L’Arlésienne

Our second French feast includes some music from the September meal (Berlioz, Fauré, and the Scherzo from Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3), but adds other musical delicacies: Paul Dukas’ Fanfare from La Peri, featuring MSO’s fabulous brass section; Maurice Ravel’s charming Pavane for a Dead Princess; Camille Saint-Saens’ “Danse Bacchanale” from Samson and Delila; and Georges Bizet’s incidental music from Alphonse Daudet’s play, “L’Arlessienne.” 

Sponsored by Hellmuth & Johnson

Sunday, February 15, 2026
4:00 p.m.

St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi

Featuring: MSO Concerto Soloist Winner: Perry Brennan, tuba

Christopher Theofanidis — Rainbow Body
Ralph Vaughan Williams — Concerto for Tuba
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique”

It would be difficult to determine which of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies is his best, but music director Steven Amundson would argue that it is his Sixth.  The composer himself proclaimed “it’s the best thing I ever composed or will ever compose.”  Labeled the “Pathetique” symphony by the composer’s brother, this work is infused with incredible depth of feeling, turbulence, dance, beauty, and drama. This piece – Tchaikovsky’s last – encapsulates his life of inner turmoil and soulful existence.

The MSO will begin this concert with a fantastic work by American composer, Christopher Theofinidis.  Rainbow Body is based on a hauntingly beautiful melody by 12th century writer and philosopher and composer, Hildegard von Bingen. We are also pleased to feature one of our own – MSO tuba player, Perry Brennan – in Ralph Vaughan Williams’ tuneful Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra.

Sponsored by Hellmuth & Johnson

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis

Presented in collaboration with Sing Democracy 250

Steven Amundson– Fanfare: Democracy 250 (Steven Amundson, conductor)
Brandon Boyd – Redeem the Dream (G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor)
Michael Bussewitz-Quarm – US (G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor)

Participating ensembles include:
–College of St. Scholastica Choirs
–Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragon Choir
–Choral Arts Ensemble Singers (Rochester)
–Honors Choirs of SE Minnesota

CELEBRATING DEMOCRACY IN ORCHESTRA HALL

The Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra is delighted to present a program that celebrates the grand experiment of American Democracy and the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence as we present three new works, all composed to commemorate this significant anniversary.  First, you’ll hear music director Steven Amundson’s festive new Fanfare: Democracy 250, composed especially for the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.  Next, the MSO will join the Together in Hope Choir, along with additional singers from all over Minnesota, to perform two exciting new works:  Brandon A. Boyd’s Redeem the Dream, based on Langston Hughes’ poem, “Let America Be America Again,” and Michael Bussewitz-Quarm’s US, based on Richard Haass’ book, The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens.

We hope these works will inspire and empower all citizens to participate in renewing American democracy.  Come join us in one of America’s finest concert venues for this joyful celebration through music! 

See the following videos from Artistic Director G Phillip Shoultz III and Music Director Steven Amundson for more information!

Program Notes for Fanfare: Democracy 250 by Steven Amundson:
Dedicated to the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. music director Steven Amundson composed his Fanfare: Democracy 250 in the summer of 2025.  It will be premiered in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis on April 12, 2026, when the MSO joins five choral ensembles from throughout Minnesota for a concert celebration of the 250th anniversary of our democracy. 

Composed in three short sections, this energetic work is based on the well-known song “America the Beautiful,” lyrics by Katharine Lee Bates, music by Samuel A. Ward. After a brief percussive introduction, the brass unleash their fanfare figures, which are derived from the opening notes of “America the Beautiful.” Sweeping countermelodies appear in strings and the main theme becomes apparent in the horn section. The brass fanfares intensify, culminating with a full orchestra fortissimo on an open fifth fermata, representing the composer’s fear that our fragile democracy is eroding. Wind chimes clear the air, and a slower contrasting section ensues, featuring woodwinds and gentle strings. Solo horn quotes the patriotic hymn but the tune soon goes in a different direction.  Suddenly, the full brass enter with bold fanfare figures in a cacophonous crescendo that leads to the final section – a reprise of the opening ideas with “America the Beautiful” now heard in the lowest voices of the orchestra. The piece proceeds in a broader, maestoso tempo as the melody switches to upper strings. An exuberant codetta unleashes the power of the full orchestra in a rousing conclusion.

*This is a ticketed event.

Programs are subject to change