The Mississippi Valley Orchestra (MVO) is a distinguished award-winning civic symphony committed to artistic excellence, accessibility, and innovation. Founded in 1976 by Edward Schlueter as a chamber ensemble based in West St. Paul and Mendota Heights, MVO has since grown into a polished, full symphony orchestra performing in prominent venues throughout the Twin Cities.

MVO presents five thoughtfully curated concerts each season. The orchestra’s programming spans a wide range of classical repertoire — from Bach suites to Bruckner symphonies, and from 20th-century modernism to contemporary compositions, including world premieres by Minnesota-based composers.

A defining initiative of MVO is its Foreground Composer Series, which showcases the work of one underrepresented composer each season, featured in every concert. This commitment not only broadens the repertoire but also deepens audience engagement and promotes lasting recognition of vital musical voices often left at the margins of the canon.

MVO is also unique among community orchestras in the region for offering free admission to all concerts and charging no dues to its musicians. Its ensemble of talented amateur and professional players, along with its all-volunteer board of directors, has earned the orchestra a growing reputation for serious, high-caliber music making and a strong spirit of collegiality.

The orchestra maintains an active presence across the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, with past performances at Orchestra Hall, Walker Art Center, Landmark Center, Dakota County Fair, Festa Italiana, and numerous schools and churches. MVO regularly collaborates with soloists from the Minnesota Orchestra, faculty from the University of Minnesota, and a variety of local artistic and educational institutions. Each spring, MVO partners with the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association to feature the winner of its concerto competition — often a young musician’s first experience performing with a full orchestra.

MVO continues to enrich the cultural life of the Twin Cities through ambitious programming, inclusive values, and a steadfast dedication to artistic integrity.

2025 American Prize Awards

In 2025, MVO received two American Prize Awards.

Thanks to the leadership of our former Artistic Director Ho-Yin Kwok, MVO’s extraordinary programming was recognized nationally with the Third Prize Award in the Community Division of the 2025 American Prize in Orchestral Programming, the Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award. This prize recognizes and rewards the best achievement in the unique field of orchestral programming, where the selection of repertoire by knowledgeable, creative and courageous music directors builds orchestras and audiences, educates young people and adults, and enriches the community.

MVO and Ho-Yin Kwok also won Second Place in the Community Division of the 2025 American Prize in Orchestral Performance.