The Minnesota Orchestra recently selected an architectural firm to work on a major renovation of Orchestra Hall. They have a website just for this project, http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buildingforthefuture. Plans include changes to the exterior & lobby areas, some enhancements to the already incredible acoustics in the auditorium and upgrades to Peavey Plaza next to Orchestra Hall. Exciting!

And now a slight tangent on the hows and whys of becoming an orchestra fan…

When I was going to college at the Milwaukee School of Engineering I took advantage of the student promo at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to go to concerts for $10 a ticket. I thoroughly enjoyed the concerts there and got to hear some amazing music in a wonderful concert hall. Performances by the symphony and their conductor Andreas Delfs were always entertaining. I even got to attend a pops concert with Doc Severinson who is quite the entertainer on his own. Fond memories to be sure, but my first experience with a professional symphony/orchestra was at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis listening to Mahler’s 8th. Incredible. I couldn’t believe what my ears were hearing. It felt like I was sitting right next to every instrument on stage.

One of my most recent experiences at the Minnesota Orchestra was back in October. Quite easily the best & most entertaining musical performance I have ever heard. Ben Folds with the MN Orchestra. There were four separate encores… ridiculous.