Join the KSO

Kenwood Symphony Orchestra (KSO) provides musicians with opportunities to grow artistically while collaborating with top-tier artists, including members of the Minnesota Orchestra, music faculty from leading Minnesota institutions, 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, 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.

We also invite guest musicians to participate in our Summer Pops series, with rehearsals in July and performances in August—no audition required.

If you are interested in joining the orchestra, click the button below to fill out our welcome form and we’ll be in touch soon.

For any other questions concerning membership, please e-mail us at kenwoodsymphonyorchestra@gmail.com.

Performances

The KSO typically performs four programs during the regular season and a set of outdoor 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!

Watch a video about the KSO experience.

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

Along with ticket sales, grants, and donations, member dues play an important role in supporting the KSO. 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.