August 10th, 2021
Mankato, MN — The Mankato Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is proud to announce its 2021-22 season of concerts, titled Renew & Re-energize. It begins with a free outdoor concert on September 11th at 6pm in Benson Park, North Mankato. The concert commemorates the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 with a full array of patriotic favorites, including the Armed Forces Salute and America the Beautiful. The concert is sponsored by the City of North Mankato.
Following the 9/11 concert, the Mankato Symphony will offer thirteen events, including four full symphony concerts, five Music on the Hill chamber music concerts, and four See Hear Play: Music Free Family Fun events. Additionally, MSO will appear in a nationally televised program on September 30, which will highlight our community impact programs.
The Music on the Hill chamber music series begins on Sunday, October 3 with a concert featuring Minnesota Orchestra celebrities, including conductor Osmo Vänskä and concertmaster, violinist Erin Keefe. All Music on the Hill concerts will be held in Trinity Chapel on the campus of Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato.
MSO will present four full symphonic concerts on October 10 (National Monuments), December 19 (The Snowman), January 23 (Russian Treasures), and March 4 (Beethovenfest!). All concerts are family friendly events with two concerts featuring animated films, accompanied by the Mankato Symphony musicians.
Because of the pandemic, last year’s search to replace former MSO Artistic Director Kenneth Freed was put on hold. “Four finalists from over one hundred applicants have been waiting for over a year to complete the application process by conducting our orchestra in a live concert setting.” said Bethel Balge, Executive Director of the Mankato Symphony Orchestra. “The audience and orchestra will have an exciting and rare opportunity to observe four conducting finalists audition for the position of Mankato Symphony’s new conductor.”
A week before each symphony concert, the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota will host See Hear Play: Music, a Free Family Fun Series which will feature musicians, actors, storytelling and musical activities for young children and their caregivers.
Early bird season subscriptions are currently available for the best seats and savings through September 25. Order subscriptions online at MankatoSymphony.org or leave a message at 507-933-0441 with order details. Individual concert tickets will become available online after August 15.