OUR MISSION
The mission of FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra is to serve as a community partner to create and bring music learning opportunities to children and families.
WHAT WE DO
FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra are committed advocates for the transformative power of classical music for all ages.
We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to be inspired by the beauty and artistry of orchestral music, so we create and maintain innovative programs designed to introduce young children to the world of classical music. Our award-winning Kinder Konzerts and hands-on Sound Factory events offer interactive experiences, educational initiatives, and engaging performances designed to ignite a lifelong passion for the arts.
As our name implies, our members are passionate fans of the Minnesota Orchestra and we offer several programs to showcase these remarkable musicians. Our ACCENT events provide musicians, conductors and guest artists a platform to share their dedication and experiences in order to connect with their audience on a deeper level.
Through membership, you can join our mission to create and bring music learning opportunities to children and families. Together, we can create a harmonious and vibrant future through the power of orchestral music.
OUR LEGACY
In 1949 Rosalynd Pflaum and a group of women organized the Women’s Association of the Minneapolis Symphony (WAMSO). Pflaum, who served a president for the first five years, and other founding members made WAMSO’s mission “to stimulate interest in and to encourage statewide support of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra.”
Over the years FRIENDS/WAMSO has donated over ten million dollars to the Minnesota Orchestral Association through the Symphony Ball and other fundraising efforts. Many balls included a separate Fashion Show sponsored by Dayton’s or Neiman Marcus. Who could ever forget the 1998 Symphony Ball bears – Maestro and Melody? WAMSO’s support for the Orchestra has included the endowment of the Principal Percussion Chair. In addition to the Symphony Ball, WAMSO held many other fundraising events including: Hot Jazz for a Cool Night (1994 featuring Vikings coach Dennis Green); Vintages of Note (several years), Settings of Note (several years), Symphony of Dinners (1992); the Bowling Ball (2006). More recently FRIENDS has held annual fundraising luncheon - It’s in the Bag and It’s in the Barn. Additional earned income came from the Pastry Booth which was set up on Peavy Plaza during Sommerfest and the WAMSO gift shop in the lobby of Orchestra Hall. While supporting the Minnesota Orchestra FRIENDS/WAMSO has created and nurtured many education programs including Kinder Konzerts and the Young Artist Competition which continue as Legacy programs. Other education programs have included Gear Your Ear, a Listening Contest for upper elementary aged students; Meet the Masters, where aspiring young musicians worked one-on-one with a guest artist; Listening House, an adult education program featuring guest speakers; Family Concert Previews/Learning in the Lobby, pre-concert activities at family concerts. Listening House evolved into ACCENT/Meet A Musician. Young Audiences was an education program of WAMSO for 30 years. The program brought music, dance, and theater ensembles into schools. In 1993 Young Audiences was “spun off” from WAMSO and became its own non-profit organization. WAMSO/FRIENDS has always been a volunteer driven organization with paying dues members. During the Symphony Ball years, membership was 700-800.
Mary Sumners, 2024-2025 Roma Calatayud-Stocks, 2023-2024 Nan Nelson, 2022-2023 Linda Bartling, 2022-2023 Cindy Olmanson, 2021-2022 Mary Ella Pratte, 2019-2021 Irene Suddard, 2018-2019 Lisa Roehl, 2017-2018 Rob Spikings, 2015-2017 Kathleen Lundeen, 2014-2015 Nancy Jamieson, 2013-2014 Sara Sternberger, 2012-2013 Laura Chin, 2011-2012 Becky Odland, 2010-2011 Wendy Marie Seyb, 2009-2010 Dorothy Halverson, 2008-2009 Georgia Thompson, 2007-2008 Lisa Holmberg, 2006-2007 Suzanne Crowe, 2005-2006 Teri E. Popp, 2004-2005 Jo Ellen Saylor, 2003-2004 Barbara Burwell, 2002-2003 Holly A. Slocum, 2001-2002 Jolie Bleeker Klapmeier, 1999-2001 Linda Killmer, 1998-1999 Judy Kishel, 1996-1998 Jane Gregerson, 1994-1996 Mary Schrock, 1992-1994 Mari Carlson, 1990-1992 Anne Miller, 1988-1990 Judi Blomquist, 1986-1988 Susan Platou, 1984-1986 Nancy Moe, 1982-1984 Kathy Cunningham, 1980-1982 Mary Steinke, 1978-1980 Sandy Coleman, 1976-1978 Shirley Dayton, 1974-1976 Luella Goldberg, 1972-1974 Rosemary McVay, 1970-1972 Ann Zelle, 1968-1970 Betty Myers, 1966-1968 Dorothy Gaucher, 1964-1966 Ehrma Strachauer, 1962-1964 Alice Smith, 1960-1962 Dorothy Grandin, 1958-1960 Margaret Hawks, 1956-1958 Virginia Dorn, 1954-1956 Rosalynd Pflaum, 1949-1954
FRIENDS Presidents
The 1950s:
Chain parties commenced as fundraisers, and over 4,000 women attended private parties and raised funds for the Orchestra. In 1953, the First Music in the Schools and Junior Division was founded. In 1955, the first Benefit Concert for the Minnesota Orchestra was held at St. Paul Auditorium. The First Symphony Ball, Mozart's Ball, was held in 1956.
The 1960s:
A 10th-year fundraising project, Encore, is created: A Cookbook of the World’s Most Famous Musicians raises $10,000 for the musicians’ pension fund. In 1962, Young Audiences became part of WAMSO. In 1963, Fundraiser Twin Town Tours began (WAMSO volunteer guides customize tours of the cities for conventioneers and local organizations) and continued until 1982. Other fundraisers included a rummage sale, a Horse show, Junior WAMSO, and a 20th anniversary party. In 1968 FRIENDS has a new name change but keeps the same acronym, WAMSO.
The 1970s:
Fundraisers included Symph Follies, Mornings for Music, Symphony Tennis Classic, Picnic in the Plaza, and Antique Show (Rochester Division). In 1978, Meet the Masters and Kinder Konzerts began. 1979 Gift Shop opens with WAMSO volunteers.
The 1980s:
The Pastry Booth at Peavey Plaza raised funds for Kinder Konzerts during the summer festival. In 1984, Kinder Konzerts had its first of 18 commissions with Janika Vandervelde’s Jack and the Beanstalk. Symphony Balls surpassed $500,000 in funds raised for the Minnesota Orchestra. The American Symphony Orchestra League awarded FRIENDS/WAMSO top honor in fundraising. In 1985, Symphony Balls’ 30th Anniversary was called “All the Glitters.” In 1986, WAMSO/FRIENDS raised funds to endow the WAMSO Principal Percussion Chair.
The 1990s:
Fundraising activities included One Suite Evening, Symphony of Style, Symphony of Dinners, Hot Jazz for Cool Evening, an annual personalized letter-writing campaign, and Swing Downtown. Education programs included Family Concert previews for families who attended Adventures in Music (1992) and Gear Your Ear (1995).
The 2000s:
Successful education programs continued including Kinder Konzerts, Adventures in Music Previews, Young Artist Competition, and Meet the Masters. Kinder Konzerts on the Road began in 2006. A large cadre of WAMSO members and volunteers worked with the Orchestra, including Symphony for the City at Hilde Performance Center, Day of Music, Target Free Family Concerts, and Symphony Ball, Have a Ball (Last WAMSO ball in 2001. Symphony Balls became organized in 2002 by the Minnesota Orchestra). WAMSO participated in inaugural activities for Osmo Vänskä and drove captains for Coffee Concerts. Fundraisers included two Latin Renaissance evenings, American Craft Council Opening Night, Vintages of Note (2004-2012), and Settings of Note (2007-1012).
The 2010s:
Hooked on Books became an added program. In 2013, WAMSO changed its name to FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra. The Fanfare Volunteer program began and continued for two years. The successful fundraiser "It's in the Bag" was held in 2018 and 2019. The 60th anniversary of the Young Artist Competition was held in 2019. With the premiere of One Dog Canoe, Kinder Konzerts kicked off FRIENDS' 40TH anniversary of this program.
The 2020’s to Present:
The Pandemic did not slow down FRIENDS. Kinder Konzerts in a Box for schools and families and Kinder Konzerts in a Bag for libraries were developed, produced, and distributed. Out and About with a teaching artist for preschools and libraries was introduced. The board voted to sunset the Young Artist Competition in 2023. A task force is researching a replacement.
ACCENT, Kinder Konzerts in the Hall, Kinder Konzerts on the Road, and Kinder Konzerts Out and About remain the backbone of FRIENDS successful education programming! FRIENDS Connect supports DEI initiatives and membership affiliation by providing community engagement through educational, compelling, and artistic-focused events offered in partnership with Twin Cities Arts Organizations, as well as featured concerts of the Minnesota Orchestra.
Over the years, FRIENDS has received multiple Gold Awards from the League of American Orchestras. In 2022, FRIENDS received the Classic Award from the League for its body of work in music education. Fundraisers included It’s in the Barn (2021), Kentucky Derby Party (2022), Classic Car Soiree (2022), All That Jazz at the Wabasha Caves (2023), and FRIENDS 75 Years of Note (2024).
FRIENDS/WAMSO History by Decades
In 1949:
Rosalynd Pflaum leads a group of women and forms WAMSO, The Women’s Association of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. The mission: “To Stimulate interest in and encourage wide support of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra.”