Heartland Symphony Orchestra is preparing for its 48th concert season! This 2024-25 year, HSO will be presenting concerts under the theme #OnlyInMN as it looks to highlight artists and composers from Minnesota, particularly our region, during each concert. Based in west central Minnesota, Heartland Symphony Orchestra presents a Fall, Winter, and Spring series with concerts in both Brainerd and Little Falls.
The theme of the upcoming Fall Concert series is #Beethoven, which will take place Saturday, October 5 in Little Falls at Charles D. Martin Auditorium in Little Falls High School at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, October 6 in Brainerd at Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts at Brainerd High School at 2:30 PM. HSO will perform the Minnesota premiere of Dominic Dousa’s New Era Overture. This concert includes our annual side-by-side collaborations with students from the St. Francis Orchestras in Little Falls and the Brainerd High Sinfonia in Brainerd. The featured artist is Dr. Stephen Carlson, professor of piano at Bemidji State University, in a performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto. The orchestra will also perform “Nimrod” from Elgar’s Enigma Variations in memory of Mary Anne Bennett. Mary Anne passed away on August 16, 2024 and we would like to honor her memory and thank her for 21 years of service to HSO.
The Winter Concerts will be held Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 PM in Brainerd, and Sunday, December 8 at 2:30 PM in Little Falls at the same locations. #MostWonderfulTime will feature Legacy Youth Chorale in a performance of Three Holiday Songs from Home Alone by John Williams, as well as other seasonal selections. The performance in Brainerd will feature students from the Brainerd High School Chamber Orchestra.
In Spring 2025, the concerts will feature the winners of the upcoming Echo Kowalzek Youth Concerto Competition with the theme “#Homegrown.” Please submit applications by January 11th to be considered for auditions taking place on Saturday January 18th, see website for more details. Performances will be held in Little Falls on Saturday, March 22 at 7:30 PM, and in Brainerd on Sunday, March 23 at 2:30 PM again in the same locations.
New this season, we are excited to include a summer pops concert in June 2025. #OnOurWay will feature the HSO Strings in collaboration with regional favorites, Rusty Crayfish Brass Band.
These concerts are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Five Wings Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. In Little Falls, the Laura Jane Musser Fund provides additional support.
HSO concerts are free and welcome an audience of all ages. Donations are graciously accepted by mail, at the door, and online at heartlandsymphony.com.