Fifty years ago, a high school music teacher brought together a collection of community musicians and former students to form the Mississippi Valley Chamber Orchestra. From this beginning has arisen one of the preeminent community orchestras in the Twin Cities.

The founder of the orchestra, Ed Schlueter, served as its music director for thirty-five years until his retirement. He was followed on the podium by Christina Chen-Byers, Henry Charles Smith, Brian Dowdy, Ho-Yin Kwok, and the current music director, Kornel Thomas.

The amateur and professional musicians of MVO present five thoughtfully curated concerts each season. Our orchestra is recognized for its collegial culture, which extends not only among our own musicians but also to our partnerships with soloists and with arts and educational organizations.

A defining initiative of MVO is our Foreground Composer Series, which showcases the work of one underrepresented composer each season, featured throughout that season’s concerts. This commitment not only broadens the repertoire but also deepens audience engagement and promotes lasting recognition of vital musical voices often left at the margins of the canon.

Our concerts are always free, and we charge no dues — audiences and musicians donate what they can — so that money is never a barrier to experiencing classical music.