Join the KSO

Kenwood Symphony Orchestra (KSO) offers musicians the opportunity to grow musically while working with top-tier artists – including Minnesota Orchestra members, music professors from leading Minnesota schools, and guest performers from across the U.S. and Canada.

Upcoming 2025–26 Season Highlights

• Bartók – Piano Concerto No. 3
• Dvořák – Symphony No. 6
• Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker with the Metropolitan Ballet
• Prokofiev – Romeo and Juliet Suites 1, 2 & 3
• Stephen Paulus – Organ Concerto (Midwestern Premiere)
• Elgar – Enigma Variations

Auditions

Musicians interested in auditioning for KSO are asked to play 2 or 3 contrasting excerpts of their choice from orchestral or solo repertoire. Excerpts should include a variety of articulations and techniques (e.g. off-string strokes for strings, stopped notes for horns, etc.). Choose excerpts that best display your technique, intonation, range, tone, rhythmic ability, and general musicality. Your audition will last approximately 3 to 5 minutes and may include a few questions.

If you are interested in becoming a member please send an e-mail to kenwoodsymphonyorchestra@gmail.com. Please include your phone number and we’ll get in touch to schedule your audition. Watch a video about the KSO experience.

Performances

The KSO typically performs five programs during the regular season and three Summer POPS! concerts. We take pride in performing at renowned venues including Buetow Auditorium, Lindbergh Auditorium, Ted Mann Hall, Sundin Hall, and Northrop Auditorium. In keeping with our mission to make music accessible to everyone, all concerts are free to the public—except for the ticketed performances of The Nutcracker with the Metropolitan Ballet. Our outreach efforts also include live performances for music lovers in residential care facilities. Listen to one of our collaborative performances, recorded live at the Ordway and featured on NPR’s Performance Today!

Rehearsals

Our season runs from the first Monday after Labor Day until mid-May the following spring. Regular rehearsals are held on Monday nights from 6:45-9:15 PM in the band room at Washburn High School in South Minneapolis.

After a few weeks off we resume in mid-July for our Summer POPS! series. Summer rehearsals are held at the St. Paul Masonic Center.

Dues

In addition to ticket sales, grants, and donations, member dues are an important part of the KSO economic structure. Dues are $110 ($50 for full-time students) per season and due on the third rehearsal in September. Waivers and other arrangements are available for those for whom the dues represent an economic hardship.