Gifts of Note trumpets success! The campaign raised $30,200. Many thanks to our generous donors who answered the call for support. Because of you, our membership and programs continue to grow.
Time to CHILL! Please mark your calendars for our Winter Gala, Thrill of the Chill on February 20, 2016 at Muse Event Center. Last year's attendees were treated to a spectacular and fun evening, so you do not want to miss this year's event! Whether attending or making a gift in honor of the event, your participation will help to further the FRIENDS mission.
Shop on Amazon Smile and support FRIENDS. Amazon Smile is a  simple and automatic way for you to support FRIENDS every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact shopping experience as on Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to FRIENDS. Simply go to smile.amazon.com, and select FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra from the list of approved organizations. For more information, please see Amazon Smile program details.
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 Young Artists Competition 2016 will take place at Orchestra Hall April 2 & 3. Please note that our members and guests may attend the Finals on Sunday, April 3. The online application period is open now through December 31, '15, on Acceptd. Last year there were 50 applicants and this year’s goal is to increase that number. Please click here to see the new promotional video for YAC. This video is also posted on the FRIENDS website and YouTube.
Additionally, YAC has a Facebook page with pictures from last year’s competition and other information. Click here to like YAC and receive updates. If you are interested in volunteering or participating in the planning committee for the competition, please contact Olivia Cullen or Lisa Roehl at friendsmnorchyac@gmail.com.
Kinder Konzerts, FRIENDS’ long running early childhood music and  literacy education program, launched the season with guide training and teacher workshops on October 23 (pictured left) and 24. This season will feature Goldilocks and the Three Bears narrated to a previous FRIENDS commissioned score by Daniel Dorff. The opening date of Kinder Konzerts is Friday, November 6th, and is sold out.
Learning in the Lobby starts December 5 Prior to the performances listed below, FRIENDS volunteers are positioned at educational stations around the Orchestra Hall lobby. The activities at each station are designed so children and adults can learn more about the the upcoming concert. Learning in the Lobby start times are noted below.
- Swingin’ Nutcracker, 12/5/15 with two Learning in the Lobby sessions at 11:45 a.m. & 1:45 p.m.
- The Peking Acrobats, 2/21/16, one session at 11:45 a.m.
- Music, Noise & Silence with the Magic Circle Mime Company, 5/1/16, with one session at 12:45 p.m.
- Cirque de la Symphonie, 5/22/16, with one session at 12:45 p.m.
Visit the Minnesota Orchestra site or contact the box office, 612.371.5600, to purchase your tickets.
Be a Part of Us Are you are an educator who loves to dream up interesting ways for kids to learn? Maybe you love music and want to share that experience? Or do you just want to join an energetic and creative group of people? We would love to have you on the Education Committee! Please contact Joanna Cortright, jcortright@msn.com, or Irene Suddard, suddard@comcast.net for more information.
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Let’s Be FRIENDS…in Social Media! FRIENDS has embraced social media and asking you to do the same. If you are on Facebook and Twitter, please take a moment to “like” FRIENDS, follow us on Twitter, share our posts and if inspired, please comment and invite your friends to join in as well. Followers see our updates in their newsfeeds, which quickly promotes our news, programs, and events. For convenience, our social media links are always at the bottom of the newsletter.
Membership Drive 2015-16  Based on the success of '14-'15's “We Are All FRIENDS” membership drive, which resulted in 80 new members,
Membership Directors, Mimi Pizzi and Nicole Thuftedal, are happy to announce that this program is continuing! Current members are invited to bring a guest, or two, to any Accent (some October attend-ees with guests pictured right) this year. Guests attend for free, and if they join that evening, their membership is half-price. What a wonderful way to keep our membership growing and introduce your friends to the wonderful programs and volunteer opportunities that FRIENDS offers. To see more pictures from the October 15 Accent, click here!
Need to renew your membership? Not sure of your status? Want to join? Please call Andy Christensen at the FRIENDS office 612.371.5654, or click here to renew or join online.
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FRIENDS at Work - A Monthly Profile of our Volunteers
 Lisa Roehl – President-Elect 2015-16
Lisa brings many skills and musical experience to her new position as FRIENDS President-Elect. For more than 25 years, she has enjoyed a career as a teaching professional, with positions including Classroom Music Specialist with District 11 (Anoka Hennepin) and ISD 196 (Apple Valley, Eagan, Rosemount). Currently, Lisa directs the musicals at Valley Middle School in Apple Valley, a position that she has held for 15 years, while also maintaining a private studio teaching voice, piano, violin and guitar.
In addition to her career responsibilities, Lisa has devoted many hours as a FRIENDS volunteer. She has served as both an Education and a Membership Board Member, has chaired the following FRIENDS (WAMSO) education programs: Young Artist Competition (twice, including the 2015 Competition); Meet the Masters; Gear your Ear; Family Concerts / Learning in the Lobby; Kinder Konzerts, and has participated in several ad-hoc committees related to education programs.
Lisa recently commented on her commitment to FRIENDS:
“I love how the power of music brings people together. My life is richer because of the musical experiences I have had volunteering with FRIENDS. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a little face light up with joy as they draw a bow across the strings of a tiny violin for the first time! We enhance lives through our education programs which inadvertently provide opportunities for Minnesota citizens of all ages to fall in love with our world-renowned Orchestra!"
Lisa has a Bachelor of Arts, University of Northwestern in Music Education K-12 with Vocal Performance emphasis and a Master of Arts, from the University of Minnesota and University of St. Thomas in Music Curriculum Development and Vocal Performance with a concentration on the changing adolescent voice. She is married to Randy and has 4 adult daughters, 2 sons-in-law and a grandchild due in March.
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Volunteers are always welcome and needed! Please contact the office at friends@mnorch.org or call 612.371.5654.
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Next Accent - Experience A Wall of Sound
Thursday, November 19, 5:30 p.m. – Accent at HGA Inc. Program: Three Trombones and a Tuba! Get ready to be blown away, ear plugs optional. $25 per person. Please rsvp by Monday, November 16.
"Swingin’ Nutcracker" Concert with Learning in the Lobby Events
Saturday, December 5 – Orchestra Hall “Swingin’ Nutcracker” with two Learning in the Lobby sessions, 11:45 a.m. & 1:45 p.m.
Jingle Bell Doc
Friday, December 18 at 8:00 p.m. – Make plans now to attend the Holiday Member Event, a Minnesota Orchestra concert featuring Doc Severinsen. This event includes the concert and a post-concert Mix and Mingle with holiday "goodies" in the Green Room. There will be an invitation with more details coming your way in November.
Trumpeting the New Year
Thursday, January 14, 5:30 p.m. – Accent at HGA Inc. Program: Douglas C. Carlsen, Trumpet. $25 per person.
Thrill of the Chill
Saturday, February 20 - FRIENDS ANNUAL GALA. Stay tuned for exciting updates about our top fundraiser and major event of the year!
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