MAY NEWSLETTER
May 2024
Upcoming Events
May 6: Kinder Konzerts in the Hall
May 22: Annual Fundraiser
June 21 - Celebrating Pride with Thomas Søndergård
You’re Invited
to
FRIENDS 75 Years of Note
ANNUAL FUNDRAISING LUNCHEON
to benefit
FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra
May 22, 2024
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Lafayette Club
2800 Northview Rd, Minnetonka Beach, MN 55361
Noteworthy performances by:
Charles Lazarus & Tommy Barbarella
Since 1949, FRIENDS has been creating connections to music education. Join us as we commemorate our impact in the community and orchestrate a bright future. In celebration of more than 7 decades of FRIENDS, please select your favorite decade and dress in your own chic style. Vintage attire admired but not required. Get your tickets today to our 75th Anniversary event!
Tickets Individual tickets - $100
Sponsor a table of 8 — $1,000 to $7,500
Noteworthy Performances
Get ready for an exciting musical journey with Charles Lazarus, brilliant trumpeter from the Minnesota Orchestra, and Tommy Barbarella, the piano virtuoso, at our FRIENDS 75 Years of Note Luncheon. Their set will dazzle with a lively blend of Jazz and Latin rhythms, mixed with a touch of Duke Ellington and Consuelo Velázquez's charm. Even better, they're adding some unexpected musical spice to delight!
Silent Auction Preview
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Adventure: Enjoy the MN Landscape Arboretum on a private, curated, 2-hour golf cart tour for 4 guests! Plus, 4 guest passes, a $40 gift card to use at the Arboretum for lunch or to shop and Arboretum Maple Syrup and Arboretum Honey.
Piano and Pinot Garden Party: Enjoy live music and wine at a garden party in Orono, Minnesota.
Six Concert Package from the Minnesota Orchestra 2024-2025 Season
Latin Renaissance: Enjoy a private art tour at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, featuring works of art of Spanish and Latin American art from their permanent collection. After the tour, enjoy South American Wine Tasting by a wine connoisseur. Enjoy appetizers as you savor six fine wines and hear about South American vineyards.
A Night at The Opera: 2 Premium tickets for the Opera, Romeo & Juliet, Minnesota Opera: Opening Night, November 2, 2024
6 Pack Package to the International Film Festival with the Minneapolis/St. Paul Film Society.
Brief History of FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra
FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra is celebrating 75 years of making an impact in our community through music education. FRIENDS owes its success to outstanding leadership since its inception, 48 presidents, thousands of volunteers, partnerships with schools across the Twin Cities, and the world-class Minnesota Orchestra.
While FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra, formerly known as WAMSO (Women’s Association of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra), was founded in 1949 by Rosalyn Pflaum, Margaret Hawks, Cornelia Spencer, Irma Strachauer, and Charlotte Weld, two factors remain consistent to this day—FRIENDS dedication to provide music education, stimulate interest in classical music, and to encourage support for the Minnesota Orchestra. As an independent nonprofit and volunteer-based organization, FRIENDS mission “to serve as a community partner to create and bring music learning opportunities to children, families, and adults” is accomplished through our partnerships and our award-winning programs Kinder Konzerts in the Hall, On the Road, and On and About, and Meet a Musician ACCENT.
Join us on May 22nd for FRIENDS 75 Years of Note as we toast this remarkable milestone.
Introducing updated logo & FRIENDS Connect
In celebration of our 75th Anniversary, we are unveiling a refreshed look for FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra. To your right you will see our new and improved brand logo. We carefully took elements of our past and implemented the Minnesota Orchestra’s new branding to honor our wonderful partnership.
FRIENDS Connect is a program designed to provide community engagement and bring together FRIENDS members through various educational, entertaining, and artistic-focused events offered by Twin Cities Arts Organizations. Many FRIENDS Connect events have recently focused on concerts offered by the Minnesota Orchestra, which bring diverse voices, and programs featuring composers and performers celebrating Black History, Hispanic Heritage, Lunar New Year, and Women’s History Month. Join us for our next FRIENDS Connect concert on June 21st at Orchestra Hall to celebrate PRIDE with Thomas Søndergård.
FRIENDS Member Benefit #7: Engagement Opportunities
Additional engagement opportunities with FRIENDS as a committee or event volunteer
Sell out ACCENT audience connects with Thomas
Since 1949, FRIENDS has been creating connections to music. Join us as we commemorate our impact in the community and orchestrate a bright future. In celebration of more than 7 decades of FRIENDS, please select your favorite decade and dress in your own chic style. Vintage attire admired but not required.
Get your tickets today to our 75th Anniversary event! Individual tickets and sponsorship level tables are available for purchase!
New concert series ends with a crescendo on April 7
The Minnesota Orchestra’s new relaxed family concert was a great success. FRIENDS volunteers helped create lasting memories for several families at the Minnesota Orchestra’s relaxed family concert during the season. One of the great outcomes of this program is for many of these children, it was the first time they touched an instrument. You never know if these children could be the next Hilary Hahn or Yo-Yo Ma. We look forward to more sound factory opportunities next year!
Happy Mother’s Day - May 12th
Wishing Barbara Mikelson a Happy Birthday on May 15th
