he MN Sinfonia is a community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to serve the musical and educational needs of the citizens of Minnesota with a special emphasis on serving families with young children, inner-city youth, seniors and those with limited financial means.
MUSIC FOR EVERYONE
Nearly 30 years ago, conductor Jay Fishman had a remarkable idea: He envisioned a professional, top-quality orchestra dedicated to ensuring the underserved and low-income residents of Minnesota are able to experience top quality live classical music.
In 1989, he created the Minnesota Sinfonia. Our guiding values are quality, accessibility and education.
EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY
The Sinfonia orchestra’s professional freelance musicians come from all over the world. Most have graduate degrees from major universities or conservatories, many have prestigious private teaching studios, several have performed with major orchestras, and more than half have been with the Sinfonia for 10 to 20 years or more.
Every year, the Sinfonia plays up to 60 free-admission concerts and features award-winning national and international guest soloists. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper, “…the Sinfonia’s performances are easily on par with that of any major Minnesota ensemble.”
OPEN TO ALL
The Sinfonia is committed to reaching underserved populations, and to removing barriers to attending orchestra concerts. Offering free tickets removes the most obvious barrier, the cost of tickets. To ensure families feel welcome, the Sinfonia creates a family-friendly atmosphere at every concert, and always encourages parents to bring their children.
To reach people unable to commute, the entire orchestra travels to accessible community locations, allowing citizens to enjoy quality orchestral music in their own neighborhoods.
All concerts are held in fully ADA-accessible locations, most with free parking including the beautiful Basilica of Saint Mary, scenic outdoor Lake Harriet Bandstand, and even school gymnasiums in Minneapolis and St. Paul’s inner-city public schools.
And for those who suspect orchestral music is stuffy, the Sinfonia offers a variety of concert formats, some classical, some “pops” and some especially for young children all performed with enthusiastic energy from the musicians and conductor.
