Partners

Photo by Leslie Plesser

The BSO’s success over the years is due in large part to the many wonderful partnerships with other organizations, whether corporate, philanthropic, educational or performing.

Featured Partnerships include:

MNSOTA Mary West Solo Competition
Each fall, MNSOTA, the Minnesota chapter of the American String Teachers Association selects winners from four age groups of string soloist competitors for cash, merchandise and performance prizes. The top soloist out of all divisions is named the Grand Prize winner, and is featured as concerto soloist on a Bloomington Symphony Orchestra classical concert.

Featured Winners

Bloomington Public Schools
Every Spring the Bloomington Public Schools present Bloomington Orchestra Festival. The festival includes a day-long retreat for 5th grade and middle school students. The event culminates in an evening concert featuring orchestras from 5th grade beginners through the adult volunteers of the BSO. A highlight of this performance includes a a piece played side-by-side with members of the Jefferson and Kennedy High School string orchestras and the BSO.

Seeded by a grant from the Bloomington Noon Rotary Foundation, the BSO has been sending musician coaches into Bloomington Middle and High School Orchestra classes to support students and teachers in instrument-specific ways. These coaches help in large-group rehearsals, sectionals, and individual lessons depending on the needs of teachers and students. They are developing relationships and showing the benefits of lifelong engagement in musical ensembles.

City of Bloomington
The City of Bloomington’s Parks, Arts & Recreation department presents the BSO during annual summer concerts including the annual July 3 SummerFete Celebration and the Arts In The Park series. The Bloomington Center for the Arts (part of the Bloomington Civic Plaza complex) houses the BSO’s administrative offices and music library storage. Bloomington residents support the BSO through the Resident Arts Support Grant program.

Concert Hosts

smARTpass
As a founding smARTpass partner, the BSO offers at least 50 complimentary vouchers for two tickets each, to our ticketed concerts. smARTpass is offered to library card holders from any of the eight regional library systems that are part of the MELSA system. Tickets for BSO concerts are made available about 30 days before each ticketed performance.

Graphic designer
Katie Parke-Reimer created a new brandmark and graphic identity for the BSO. You can see her work in our website, season brochure and postcard.

Website Designer
John Holm customized our WordPress template for the BSO’s 2024 website redesign. You can see more of John’s work at our concerts, as he is also the principal 2nd violin in the orchestra.

Photographer
Unless otherwise noted, photos of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra are provided by Leslie Plesser from Shuttersmack.