Mississippi Valley Orchestra
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      • Oct 13 2024: Bao Yuankai: Sketches of Taiwan
      • Dec 8 2024: Sarah and Lydia Grimes play Mozart
      • Feb 16 2025: Rachmaninoff 3
      • Apr 6 2025: Mozart's Requiem
      • May 18 2024: Bruckner 7
    • 2024 Summer Crewtet
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PAST SEASONS: 2013 - 2024

2013-2014 Season
Greatest Symphonic Hits - Mozart in Person
Sunday, November 17, 2013
First Lutheran Church
1555 40th Ave. NE, 
Columbia Hts., MN 55421

Henry Charles Smith, conductor
Noah Deets, young Mozart

Wagner: Prelude to Act 3 from Lohengrin 
Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (1st mvt) 
Mozart: Symphony No. 1 (1st mvt)  
Tchaikovsky: "Scena" and "Czardas" from Swan Lake 
Willson: "76 Trombones" from Music Man 
Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun 
Rimsky-Korsakoff: Russian Easter Overture
Mozart in Person Postcard
click on image to display program

Honor, Adulation, Praise
February 23, 2014
First Lutheran Church
1555 40th Ave. NE, 
Columbia Hts., MN 55421

Henry Charles Smith, conductor
Jeffrey Van, guitar
Two Rivers Chorale
Chorus Polaris 

Brahms: Academic Festival Overture
Ponce: Guitar Concerto
Mendelssohn: Hymn of Praise
Honor Postcard
click on image to display program

Brilliance:  Orchestra, Organ, Piano
Saturday, April 5, 2014
​Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S. Robert St., West St. Paul 55118

Sunday, April 6, 2014
First Lutheran Church
1555 40th Ave. NE, 
Columbia Hts., MN 55421

Henry Charles Smith, conductor
Michael Tang, piano, winner of St. Paul Piano Teachers Association concerto competition
Dee Ann Crossley, organ

Forsberg: Choral Symphonic on "How Brightly Beams the Morning Star"
Grieg: Concerto in A minor, movements 2 & 3
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 "Organ"
Brilliance Postcard
click on image to display program

Music on the Breeze
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S. Robert St., West St. Paul 55118  

Henry Charles Smith, conductor
    
Dvorak: In Nature's Realm
Gounod: Petite Symphony for Wind Instruments
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2
Music on the Breeze Postcard
Click image to view program
2014-2015 Season
Happy:  Music for a Cheerful Spirit
Sunday, October 19, 2014
First Lutheran Church
1555 40th Ave. NE, 
Columbia Hts., MN 55421

Henry Charles Smith, conductor
John Snow, oboe

Shostakovich: Festive Overture
Grieg: "Last Spring" from Two Elegiac Melodies
Marcello: Oboe Concerto in D Minor
    (in memory of MVO Oboist Liza Berry)
Dvorák: Symphony No 8 
Happy Postcard
Click image to view program

Holiday Gems
Friday, December 12, 2014 
Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S. Robert St., West St. Paul 55118

Henry Charles Smith, conductor

Yarbrough: Alleluias for Orchestra
Vaughn Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves
Bizet: Farandole from L'Arlesienne
Herman: Winter Wonderland
Christmas Sing-Along
Coots/Gillespie: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Anderson: Sleigh Ride
Tchaikovsky: Selected movements from The Nutcracker
Holiday Gems Postcard
Click image to view program

Exceptional Americana
Sunday, February 22, 2015
First Lutheran Church
1555 40th Ave. NE, 
Columbia Hts., MN 55421

Henry Charles Smith, conductor
Doug Wright, trombone
Collin Jinks, piano, winner of the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association concerto competition

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 (1st mvt)
Hanson: Symphony No. 2, Romantic
Pugh:
Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra
Exceptional Americana Postcard
Click image to view program

Metamorphosis, Apotheosis, Let it Swing!
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S. Robert St., West St. Paul 55118

Henry Charles Smith, conductor
Tony Ross, cello
Beth Rapier, cello
Cathy Larsen, soprano
Colonial Chorale
Chorus Polaris
Christ Presbyterian Chancel Choir

Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis
Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Cellos
Faure: Elegy
Poulenc: Gloria
Metamorphosis Postcard
Click image to view program
2015-2016 Season
One Thousand and Five Arabian Nights
Sunday, October 25, 2015

Henry Charles Smith, conductor
Cecilia Belcher, violin
Denis Evstuhin, piano
Chorus Polaris, John Hoffacker, director

Henry Charles Smith: Fanfares for MVO ROYALTY
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
Beethoven: Choral Fantasia
One Thousand and Five Arabian Nights Postcard
Click image to view program

A Festive Holiday
Friday, December 11, 2015 

Henry Charles Smith, conductor
Megan Dvorak, oboe

Morricone: Gabriel's Oboe 
Red McLeod: Scandinavian Holiday
Ramirez: Navidad Nuestra
Anderson: Sleigh Ride
Tchaikovsky: Selections from The Nutcracker
Festive Holiday Postcard
Click image to view program

Angel Voice
Sunday, February 21, 2016

Henry Charles Smith, conductor
Maria Jette, soprano
Nita Qiu, piano, winner of the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association concerto competition

Barber: Knoxville: Summer of 1915
Gabrieli: Sonata and Canzon
Verdi: "Triumphal March" from Aida
St. Saens: Piano Concerto No. 2 
Angel Voice Postcard
Click image to view program

Prelude To The Next 40
Sunday, May 1, 2016

Brian Dowdy, associate conductor
Cecilia Belcher, violin
Henry Charles Smith, conductor

Wagner: Prelude to Die Meistersinger 
Forsberg: Choral Prelude "Was Gott tut, das ist Wohlgetan"
Vaughan Williams: Lark Ascending
Liszt: Les Preludes
Prelude Postcard
Click image to view program
2016-2017 Season
Homelands
Sunday, October 30, 2016 - 3 pm
St. Paul United Church of Christ
900 Summit Avenue, St. Paul 55105 
​
Brian Dowdy, conductor
Ellen Dinwiddie Smith, horn

Sibelius: Karelia Overture
Borodin: Symphony  No. 2
Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1
Homelands 2016
Click image to view program

A Christmas Fantasy
Friday, December 9, 2016 - 7 pm
Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S. Robert St., West St. Paul 55118

Brian Dowdy, conductor
Jeffrey Martin, soloist
Abigail Martin, soloist

Humperdinck: Scenes from Hansel and Gretel
Anderson: Sleigh Ride
Tchaikowski: "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker Suite, Op 71a
Debussy: The Snow is Dancing
Rimsky Korsakov: "Polonaise" from Christmas Eve Suite
Christmas carol sing along
Christmas Fantasy 2016
Click image to view program

Let the Spirit Sing Free!
Sunday, February 26, 2017 - 3 pm
First Lutheran Church
1555 40th Ave. NE, 
Columbia Hts., MN 55421

Brian Dowdy, conductor
Abigail Martin, soprano
Yun Kyong Lee, mezzo soprano
Joshua Diaz, tenor
Jeffrey Martin, bass
Chorus Polaris, John Hoffacker, artistic director

University of Minnesota Campus Singers Maroon, Amanda Weber, director
Daniel Stein, piano, winner of the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association concerto competition

Beethoven: Egmont Overture
Coleridge-Taylor: Danse Negre
Copland: Variations on a Shaker melody
Tippett: 4 Spirituals from A Child of Our Time
     "Steal Away"
     "Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen"

     "Go Down, Moses"
     "Deep River"
Sibelius: Finlandia
Schumann: Concerto in A minor
Spirit Sing Free 2016
Click image to view program

Heroes
Sunday, May 7, 2017 - 3 pm
​Augustana Lutheran Church

1400 S. Robert St., West St. Paul 55118

​Brian Dowdy, conductor
Cecilia Belcher, violin
Richard Belcher, cello


Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Brahms: Double Concerto
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2017-2018 Season
​Pictures at an Exhibition
Sunday, October 22, 2017 - 3 PM
Simley Theater of Performing Arts
2920 80th St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076

​
Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Richard Belcher, cello

Suppé: Poet and Peasant Overture
Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
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​A Christmas Sing-Along
​
​Friday, December 8, 2017 - 7:30 PM
Immanuel Lutheran Church
16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie, MN 55346

Friday, December 15, 2017 - 7:30 PM
Lake Harriet United Methodist Church
4901 Chowen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410

​
​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Chorus Polaris, William Mathis, conductor


Smith: Christmas Sing-along
Waldteufel: Les Patimeurs (The Skaters' Waltz)
Tchaikovsky: "Trepak" and "Waltz of Flower" from The Nutcracker
14th Century (arr. Custer): Gaudete
Sweelinck: Hodie Christus Natus Est
Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium
Welsh Carol (arr. Wiberg): Suo-gân
Hagen: Deck the Hall
Handel: "For unto us a child is born" and "Hallelujah" from Messiah
Smith: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Anderson: Sleigh Ride
Mozart: Ave verum corpus
Anderson: A Christmas Festival
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Guilmant Symphony No. 1
Sunday, March 4, 2018 - 3 PM

Benson Great Hall, Bethel University
3900 Bethel Dr, Arden Hills, MN 55112

Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Dean W. Billmeyer, organ

​

Glinka: Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila
Guilmant: Symphony No. 1
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4
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Brahms Symphony No. 2​
Sunday, May 6, 2018 - 3 PM

Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S Robert St, West St Paul, MN 55118

Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Women of Chorus Polaris
Aurora Wang, 2017 St. Paul Piano Teachers Association Concerto Competition winner


Debussy: Nocturnes 
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1, movement 3
​Brahms: Symphony No. 2
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2018-2019 SEASON
Isle of the Dead
Sunday, October 14, 2018 - 3 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 2:15 p.m.

Simley Theater of Performing Arts
2920 80th St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076

​
Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Hisham Bravo Groover, guest conductor

William LaRue Jones and Ye Yu, bassoons

Mendelssohn: The Hebrides
Dietter: Concerto for Two Bassoons
Rachmaninoff: The Isle of the Dead
Barber: Medea's Dance of Vengeance
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Season of Bells
Sunday, December 2, 2018 - 3 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 2:15 p.m.

Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S Robert St, West St Paul, MN 55118

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Bells of the Lakes, William Mathis, music director

Tew: An Overture for Hanukkah
Menotti: Introduction, March, Shepherd Dance from Amahl and the Night Visitors
Berlioz: The Shepherds' Farewell from The Childhood of Christ
Tchaikovsky: Pas de deux, Final Waltz, and Apotheosis from ​The Nutcracker
Enescu: Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 
Anderson: Sleigh Ride
Mendelssohn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
English folk song (arr. Moklebust): What Child Is This
Admundson: Ring, Gladsome Bells
German carol (arr. Garee): Silent Night
Anderson: A Christmas Festival
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Grant Us Peace
Sunday, March 3, 2019 - 3 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 2:15 p.m.

Benson Great Hall, Bethel University
3900 Bethel Dr, Arden Hills, MN 55112

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Andrew Staupe, piano

Chorus Polaris

Walker: Lyric for Strings
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G
Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem
​
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Appalachian Spring
Sunday, May 5, 2019 - 3 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 2:15 p.m.

Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S Robert St, West St Paul, MN 55118

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Sarah Grimes, violin
Jacqueline Pham, piano


Maconchy: Two Dances from "Puck Fair"
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor
Saint-Sa
ëns: Piano Concerto No. 2, movement 1
     Jacqueline Pham, the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association Concerto Competition Winner
Copland: Appalachian Spring Suite (1945)
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​​MVO Crewtet at Wooden Hill Brewery
​Tuesday, August 6, 2019 - 6 p.m.

Wooden Hill Brewery Company
7421 Bush Lake Rd, Edina, MN 55439

An evening of classic popular music and movie themes played by MVO Crewtet.

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Orchestral Maneuvers in the Park
Sunday, August 18, 2019 - 6:30 p.m.
Parkway Theater LLC
4814 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417

An eclectic evening of music with members of the Mississippi Valley Orchestra, Sweet Stache, Mill City Caravan and the Brothers Smitty with tangos, film scores, classics and contemporary rock and everyone playing on the finale! Special drink courtesy from Tattersall Distillery! 

Ticket: $25 Advance, $30 Door


​​MVO Crewtet at Modist Brewing
​
​​Friday, August 23, 2019 - 6 p.m.
Modist Brewing Co.
505 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Last chance to catch MVO Crewtet before first concert of the 2019-2020 season!
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2019-2020 sEASON
​Petrushka
Sunday, October 13, 2019 - 3 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 2:15 p.m.

Simley Theater of Performing Arts
2920 80th St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Jotaro Nakano, guest conductor


Ketèlbey: Sanctuary of the Heart
Nielsen: Aladdin Suite
Stravinsky: Petrushka (1911 concert version)
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Season of Celebration
Sunday, December 8, 2019 - 3 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 2:15 p.m.

Lake Harriet United Methodist Church
4901 Chowen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor

Smith: Christmas Sing-Along
Chadwick: "Jubilee" from Symphonic Sketches
Tailleferre: "Waltz of the Telegrams" from Les mari
és de la tour Eiffel
Stanford: Irish Rhapsody No. 1
Tchaikovsky: "Forest of Firs in Winter" from The Nutcracker

Stokowski: Traditional Slavic Christmas Music
Chadwick: "Noel" from 
Symphonic Sketches
Hellem: The First Noel
Hellem: "Winter" from Four Turns of Time
Anderson: Sleigh Ride
Anderson: ​A Christmas Festival
​
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Beethoven 7
Sunday, February 9, 2020 - 3 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 2:15 p.m.

Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S Robert St, West St Paul, MN 55118​​​

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Fanya Lin, piano

Orion Kim, student of Dr. Joseph Zins, winner of the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association Concerto Competition, piano

Xian Xinghai: Yellow River Piano Concerto
Camille Saint-
Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2, Movement 1
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
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Bach Double (Cancelled)
Sunday, April 5, 2020 - 3 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 2:15 p.m.

Benson Great Hall, Bethel University
3900 Bethel Dr, Arden Hills, MN 55112​

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Susie Park, violin
Sarah Grimes, violin

Smyth: "On the Cliffs of Cornwall" from The Wreckers
Bach: Concerto for Two Violins
Mahler: Symphony No. 1
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Alexander Nevsky (Cancelled)
Sunday, May 17, 2020 - 3 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 2:15 p.m.

Benson Great Hall, Bethel University
3900 Bethel Dr, Arden Hills, MN 55112​

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Andrew Sords, violin
​Chorus Polaris

Wagner: Prelude to Act 1 of Parsifal
Tchaikovsky: Concerto for Violin
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky Cantata

​Pop-up Performances at Bauhaus July 23, Aug 20, and Sep 24, 2020
Thursday, July 23, 2020 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, August 20, 2020 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, September 24, 2020 - 6 p.m.

Bauhaus Brew Labs
1315 Tyler St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

The Crewtet of Mississippi Valley Orchestra and the Dolce Wind Trio and Quartet (Aug 20 and Sep 24) performed at Bauhaus Brew Labs for socially-distanced showcases this summer. Performances were at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm, featuring classical favorites and popular music. For every beer sold during the performance, Bauhaus donated $1 to #RestoreNorth to help rebuild businesses in North Minneapolis.
Dolce Wind Quartet
2020-2021 SEASON
Video: MVO - The Story of 2020

This video is a special message for all the friends of the Mississippi Valley Orchestra. It is a story about how we worked together to maintain our identity as an orchestra for the community since the pandemic cancelled our concerts and other events in the spring. Please enjoy it! We invite you to help us achieve even more in the future.

All background music tracks are excerpts from MVO concerts.
​GiveMN: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Mississippi-Valley-Orchestra
​


​Regular Rehearsals under COVID-19

During the pandemic, MVO was determined to serve the music community of the Twin Cities by offering regular rehearsals and other musical activities. Health safety remained to be the top priority and the orchestra took serious precautions to prevent the spread of virus. All of MVO activities were optional to our musicians in accordance to information and guidelines from the CDC and the State of Minnesota.

Videos: Christmas with MVO (at home)
​"Have Yourself a Merry Christmas" played by Principal Horn Don Feeney.​
"Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen" played by Second Violin Emily Ruggles Johnson.
​"White Christmas" played by Artistic Director and Conductor Ho-Yin Kwok.

Hit the High Note Virtual Hangouts and "Christmas in March" Bonfire Event (Mar 2-Mar 27)

​
To stay connected with our friends and musicians, MVO hosted four virtual hangouts in March. We were delighted to have wonderful guests, such as Ed Schlueter, founder of MVO, and Christina Chen-Beyers, former Artistic Director, to join us online. The virtual activities also included musical storytellings, rare videos revealing, trivia quizzes, and amazing door prizes. The Grand Finale of the Hit the High Note campaign was a festive "Christmas in March" in-person outdoor bonfire extrordinaire (Mar 27)!

MVO Season Finale 2020-21: William Grant Still's "Danzas de Panama"
​
​
Led by Artistic Director Ho-Yin Kwok, MVO found ways to make music during the pandemic of 2020-21. Released for our community near and far on the day that would have been our season finale concert—May 23, 2021—our performance of William Grant Still's warm, hopeful Danzas de Panama was recorded on May 11, 2021 after four socially distant one-hour rehearsals.

Thank you to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Shoreview, Minnesota, for your hospitality; to Mary Madson, our manager, who made it possible to have rehearsals at all; and to recording engineer Phillip O'Toole.

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MVO 2021 Summer Crewtet Series
​​

The popular MVO Crewtet Series returned in the summer of 2021 bigger than ever with 9 performances in 3 esteemed Twin Cities local breweries.
Bauhaus Brew Labs
1315 Tyler St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Thursday, May 20 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, June 17 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, July 15 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, August 19 - 6 p.m.
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​Lake Monster Brewing
550 Vandalia St #160, St Paul, MN 55114

Tuesday, June 8 - 6 p.m.
Tuesday, July 6 - 6 p.m.
Tuesday, August 3 - 6 p.m.
Tuesday, September 14 - 6 p.m.
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​Wooden Hill Brewing
7421 Bush Lake Rd, Edina, MN 55439

Thursday, July 22 - 5:30 p.m.
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MVO Crewtet at the Baseball Field!
360 N Broadway Street, St. Paul, MN 55101
Friday, August 20 - 7:05 p.m.​​

​
Come join us as MVO Crewtet makes our sporty debut at CHS Field in the game of St. Paul Saints vs. Iowa Cubs! Also stay behind for the fireworks powered by Xcel Energy. Visit here for St. Paul Saints' schedule.

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Outreach: Lakeshore Players Theatre
4941 Long Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110​​
Sunday, August 29 - 2:00 p.m.​​

MVO Crewtet will partner with Capital City Brass Quintet for a musical presentation and Q&A session for students of the Children's Theatre Company.

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2021-2022 SEASON
​Sarah Grimes Plays Coleridge-Taylor (in memory of Henry Charles Smith)
Sunday, October 17, 2021 - 3 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 2:15 p.m.

Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S Robert St, West St Paul, MN 55118

​
Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Sarah Grimes, violin
Ryan Holt,
student of Dr. Chris Weldon, winner of the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association Concerto Competition 2020

Siesky: Remnants (World Premiere in collaboration with ...And We Were Heard, initiative for underrepresented composers)
Coleridge-Taylor: Romance in G major for Violin, op. 39
Rachmaninoff: Moderato from Piano Concerto No. 2, op. 18
Hanson: Symphony No. 2, 'Romantic', op. 30


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Christmas with MVO
​
Sunday, December 5, 2021 - 3 p.m.
Pre-concert Minnesota Boychoir Performance - 2:15 p.m.

First Lutheran Church Columbia Heights
1555 40th Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421

​
Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Andrew Kim,
guest conductor
Minnesota Boychoir


Offenbach: Orphée aux enfers Overture
Smyth: On the Cliffs of Cornwall from The Wreckers
Ibarra: Serenata for Strings (World Premiere)
Tchaikovsky: Waltz of the Snowflakes from The Nutcracker
Anderson: Sleigh Ride
J Strauss II: On the Beautiful Blue Danube
J Strauss II: Csárdás from Ritter Pásmán
Coleridge-Taylor: ​Christmas Overture from The Forest of Wild Thyme


Pre-concert Minnesota Boychoir Lobby Performance at 2:15 p.m.

Miller: Love Has Broken Down the Wall
Traditional: Dona Nobis Pacem
Mendelssohn and Guaraldi: Christmas Time is Here
Bagdasarian: Christmas Don't Be Late
Irish Traditional: Carrickfergus
Holiday Singalong
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Mahler 1
​
Sunday, February 13, 2022 - 2:30 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 1:45 p.m.

Benson Great Hall
3900 Bethel Dr, Arden Hills, MN 55112

​
Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Ryan Tani,
guest conductor
Noah Greenstein Sheppard, student of Dr. Paul Wirth, winner of the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association Concerto Competition 2021

Coleridge-Taylor: Petite suite de concert, op. 77
R. Schumann:
Allegro affettuoso from Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 54
Mahler: Symphony No. 1, 'Titan' in D major
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Rite of Spring
​
Sunday, April 10, 2022 - 2:30 p.m.
Pre-concert talk - 1:45 p.m.

Benson Great Hall
3900 Bethel Dr, Arden Hills, MN 55112

​
Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Thomas Kociela,
guest conductor
​Ben Odhner, violin


Coleridge-Taylor: Rhapsodic Dance No. 1, 'Bamboula', op. 75
Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1, op. 26
Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps (1913 version)

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Andrew Staupe Plays Bartók 2
​
Sunday, May 22, 2022 - 3:00 p.m.

Pre-concert talk featuring Penelope Corbett on Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's life and works - 2:15 p.m.
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church
900 Stillwater Rd #2267, Mahtomedi, MN 55115

​
Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Andrew Staupe,
piano

Coleridge-Taylor: Overture to The Song of Hiawatha, op. 30
Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2

Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 'From the New World', op. 95
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University of Minnesota Opera Theatre Virtual Performance "Hometown to the World"
February 3 - 5, School of Music's YouTube Channel


David Walsh, director
​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
University of Minnesota Opera Theatre


Kaminsky: Hometown to the World

School of Music's YouTube channel
View program here

University of Minnesota Opera Theatre presents Hometown to the World, a new chamber opera that depicts the struggles of citizens in a small Iowa town after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on the community’s main industry, and the resulting deportation of hundreds of undocumented immigrants. The opera serves as a timely reflection on larger issues of migration and community. University Opera Theatre will be the first organization to present a public performance of Hometown to the World following its premieres in Hawaii and Santa Fe in 2021. Created by composer Laura Kaminsky and librettist Kimberly Reed, through a co-commission by Santa Fe Opera and Hawaii Opera Theatre.
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MVO at Parkway Theater - Strings Attached
​Sunday, June 26, 2022 - 4:00 p.m doors / 5:00 p.m. music
​

Parkway Theater
4814 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417

Mississippi Valley Orchestra is teaming up with a stellar roster of Minnesota music-makers to create a one-of-a-kind performance experience. Each artist will perform a mini-set of original music, accompanied by the full orchestra. 

Local luminaries Jillian Rae, High On Stress, Fathom Lane, Katy Vernon, Jenny Russ, Michael Mothershed and Bud Roberts will reimagine their songs in this unique Sunday matinee performance. Help support this our orchestra and the Minnesota music scene! 

​
Emceed by Diane Miller, host of The Local Show on 89.3 The Current.
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MVO 2022 Summer Crewtet Series
Bauhaus Brew Labs
1315 Tyler St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Thursday, June 2 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, July 7 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, August 4 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, September 1 - 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
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​Lake Monster Brewing
550 Vandalia St #160, St Paul, MN 55114

Thursday, June 9 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, July 14 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, August 11 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, September 8 - 6 p.m.
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2022-2023 SEASON
Firebird
​
​Sunday, October 16, 2022 - 3 PM (2:15 Pre-concert talk)
Benson Great Hall
3900 Bethel Dr, Arden Hills, MN 55112

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Tamara Dworetz, guest conductor
Curtis Streetman, bass


Gipps: Symphony No. 2, op. 30 (Midwest premiere)
Mussorgsky (orch. Shostakovich): Songs and Dances of Death
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919 version)
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Bach Double

​Sunday, December 4, 2022 - 3 PM (2:15 Pre-concert talk)
First Lutheran Church Columbia Heights
1555 40th Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421

​
​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Sarah Grimes and Susie Park, 
violin

Weinberg: Rhapsody on Moldavian Themes
J.S. Bach: Concerto for Two Violins
Gipps: Knight in Armour, op. 8 ​(US premiere)
Respighi: Pines of Rome
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Mahler's Inspiration

Sunday, February 19, 2023 - 2:30 PM (1:45 Pre-concert talk)
Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S Robert St, West St Paul, MN 55118

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Niloofar Sohi, viola
​Alex Rodriguez, student of Dr. Paul Wirth and winner of the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association Competition 2022

Tamar Simon, soprano
Geoffrey Schellenberg, baritone


Gipps: Jane Grey Fantasy for Viola, op. 15 ​(US premiere)
Grieg:
Allegro moderato molto e marcato from Piano Concerto in A minor
Mahler: Des Knaben Wunderhorn​
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Requiem for the Living (presented by Edina Chorale)

Order a ticket ($20 General Admission)

Sunday, April 2, 2023 - 3 PM
Orchestra Hall
1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Fanya Lin, piano
Edina Chorale, Paige Armstrong, Artistic Director

Chorus Polaris, William Mathis, Artistic Director

Gipps: Song for Orchestra, op. 33 ​(US premiere)
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2, op. 16
Forrest: Requiem for the Living
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Enigma Variations

Sunday, May 21, 2023 - 3 PM (2:15 Pre-concert talk)
St Andrew's Lutheran Church
900 Stillwater Rd #2267, Mahtomedi, MN 55115
​

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Clare Longendyke, piano


Kuntz: World Premiere, MVO Resident Composer Project
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2, op. 18

Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme 'Enigma', op. 36
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Summer Crewtet 2023 Schedule
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Bauhaus Brew Labs, Minneapolis
First Thursdays of every month
​June 1, July 6, August 3, September 7
Lake Monster Brewing Co., St. Paul
Second Thursdays of every month
​June 8, July 13, August 10
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St. Paul Saints vs. Durham Bulls, CHS Field, St. Paul
July 14
Irish Fair of Minnesota, Harriet Island, St. Paul
August 12

MVO Musical Mixer (July 16, 2pm)
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Please come and enjoy gathering with friends and supporting a new season of music in your community! Highlights of this relaxing, celebratory event, or "demi-gala" include​: season Announcement of 2023-24, reveal of 2023-24 MVO Foreground Composer, a well-curated silent auction, and a sextet performance.
2023-2024 SEASON
Ina Boyle: Glencree Symphony
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​Sunday, October 8, 2023 - 3 PM (2:15 Pre-concert talk)
Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 S Robert St, West St Paul, MN 55118

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Erik Wheeler, cello


Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, op. 85
Boyle: Symphony No. 1, "Glencree" (Midwest premiere)
Shostakovich: Symphonic Poem "October", op. 131
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Sarah Grimes plays The Lark Ascending

​Sunday, December 10, 2023 - 3 PM (2:15 Pre-concert talk)
First Lutheran Church Columbia Heights
1555 40th Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421

​
​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Sarah Grimes, violin


Boyle: A Sea Poem (US premiere)
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
Falla: El Sombrero de Tres Picos
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Mahler 2

Sunday, February 18, 2024 - 3:00 PM (2:15 Pre-concert talk)
St Andrew's Lutheran Church
900 Stillwater Rd #2267, Mahtomedi, MN 55115

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
CJ Point, cello
Elena Stabile, soprano; 
Mikalia Bradberry, mezzo-soprano
Chorus Polaris, Northern Lights Chorale, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church Chorale


Boyle: Psalm for Cello and Orchestra ​(US premiere)
Mahler: Symphony No. 2​
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Beethoven Triple Concerto
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Sunday, April 14, 2024 - 3 PM
Benson Great Hall
3900 Bethel Dr, Arden Hills, MN 55112

​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Kyu-Young Kim, violin; Pitnarry Shin, cello; 
Orion Kim, piano
Mark Paisar, organ

Boyle: Overture for Orchestra ​(US premiere)
Beethoven: Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C major, op. 56
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3, "Organ", op. 78
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Rachmaninoff 4

Sunday, May 19, 2024 - 3 PM (2:15 Pre-concert talk)
Benson Great Hall
3900 Bethel Dr, Arden Hills, MN 55112
​
​Ho-Yin Kwok, conductor
Andrew Staupe, piano
André Peck, 2023 Winner of the SPPTA Piano Concerto Competition


Boyle: Wildgeese, Sketch for Orchestra (US premiere)
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 4, op. 40 (original version)
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2, op. 22, Movement 1

Sibelius: Symphony No. 5, op. 82
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MVO Musical Mixer (July 14, 2pm)
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