Our Ensembles
Minnetonka Symphony Orchestra (MSO)
The Minnetonka Symphony Orchestra is a full symphony orchestra that performs at an advanced level. Members include professional and experienced amateur musicians. Under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Stirling, the MSO aspires to musical excellence in rehearsal and performance.
Rehearsal Information
Rehearsals are on Sunday nights at 6:30 p.m., September through June, at the Arts Center on 7 at Minnetonka High School.
About the Conductor
Dr. Jeffrey Stirling has directed symphonic concerts and opera in North America and Europe. He is currently Music Director of the Saint Paul Civic Symphony and the Northeast Orchestra, and has appeared as conductor with Skylark Opera, the Lakes Area Music Festival, the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra and other regional ensembles. In past seasons, Dr. Stirling has been a guest conductor with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and a cover conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra.
Dr. Stirling holds degrees from Yale and Northwestern University, and pursued advanced studies at the Paris Conservatory, the Tanglewood and Salzburg summer music festivals as well as at the Fontainebleau School (France). Dr. Stirling was chosen by Leonard Slatkin to take part in the National Conducting Institute with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D. C. His mentors have included Seiji Ozawa, Pierre Boulez, Marin Alsop, Charles Bruck and Victor Yampolsky. Dr. Stirling is an accomplished educator. He served as Interim Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Minnesota School of Music, and has conducted orchestras at St. Olaf College, Luther College and Gustavus Adolphus College, as well as at St. Cloud State University and the University of Northern Iowa. Dr. Stirling was a conductor with the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies for 11 seasons.
The MSO is proud to sponsor our annual Young Artist Program.
Chamber Orchestra
The Minnetonka Chamber Orchestra offers members the opportunity to play their instruments, explore a variety of music and perform at a variety of venues in the community. Directed by Richard Haglund, MS the smaller size of the chamber ensemble consists of strings, woodwinds (in pairs), brass & percussion, and performs quality programs including classical symphonies and overtures. The Minnetonka Chamber Orchestra’s mission is to provide the enjoyment of music for its members and for the audience to which it performs. The ensemble is non-auditioned (with sectionals as needed) and presents three concert series each year.
Rehearsal Information
We rehearse Monday nights from 7 - 9 p.m., September through May, at the Arts Center on 7 at Minnetonka High School.
About the Conductor
Known for his expressive interpretations and meticulous attention to detail, Richard Haglund has earned acclaim for breathing new life into both traditional and contemporary repertoire. As a guest conductor, he has led professional ensembles worldwide, including the Camerata Chamber Orchestra (Romania), St. Petersburg Hermitage Orchestra (Russia), Varna Philharmonic (Bulgaria), Capella Orchestra (Russia), National Chamber Orchestra of Moldova, The Milano Classico (Italy), and the Bantul Philharmonic Orchestra (Romania). His diverse experience also includes leading the Greater Newburgh Symphony’s Pops series, serving as assistant conductor for the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra and Bard Community Chorus, and conducting a Broadway reading of Song of Solomon in New York City.
A Minnesota native, Haglund received his musical training in percussion and piano, earning a Bachelor of Music from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s in Orchestral Conducting from Bard College Conservatory of Music under Harold Farberman and Leon Botstein. He has studied composition with Joan Tower and further refined his craft with mentors such as Gustav Meier, Paul Vermel, Philip Greenberg, and others. His previous appointments include leadership roles with the Erato Chamber Orchestra, Heartland Symphony, Northeast Orchestra, and Sangamon Valley Youth and Community Orchestra, as well as assistant conductor of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. In 2022, he was named a winner of the International Conductors Workshop and Competition in Atlanta, Georgia.
Concert Band
The Minnetonka Concert Band is a highly proficient ensemble. Members enjoy rehearsing and performing challenging repertoire in a five week rehearsal/performance series twice per year. Under the direction of Steve Lyons, the Concert Band engages the community with programming aimed to please a diverse audience.
Rehearsal Information
The band generally rehearses five Wednesday evenings prior to each performance. Concerts take place in late September/early October and mid-March. Rehearsals are held at the Arts Center on 7 at Minnetonka High School.
About the Conductor
Steve Lyons is in his 40th year as a music educator, the last 33 of which he has been at Champlin Park High School. He received his Bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University with majors in Music Education and Theory/Composition. Steve received his Master's degree from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. At Champlin Park HS his program has had performance tours to Germany, Austria, France, Spain, and Greece. An advocate for lifelong learning, Steve conducted the St. Louis Park Community Band for 12 years and is thrilled to serve as conductor of the Minnetonka Concert Band. He has served as guest conductor for numerous honor bands, both in and out of Minnesota. Steve's pride and joy is his wife of 39 years, their two adult children, and his 9 year old grand-triplets.
Jazz Band
Led by Greg Lewis, our jazz band is made up of amateur musicians from throughout the Twin Cities. We held our inaugural event in November of 2021 with a Swing Dance.
Rehearsal Information
We rehearse for 6-8 weeks prior to each event on Wednesday nights at the Minnetonka High School band room.
Greg Lewis, Bandleader
Greg Lewis is a long-time professional in the Twin Cities music community. Primarily a free-lance trumpeter, he plays in jazz and variety bands, theatres, recording studios, shows with visiting celebrities, traditional and contemporary religious services, and classical groups.
Greg is also a busy music educator, teaching private brass instrument lessons and serving as a coach, clinician, and adjudicator for public school and college jazz ensembles and instrumental music programs. He also writes music, and has conducted many school and professional groups, including the 1985-86 Minnesota All-State Jazz Ensemble and the Minnesota Vikings Band. He’s an active member of the Twin Cities Musicians Union, the International Trumpet Guild, and the Jazz Educators Network.
Senior Chorale
The Minnetonka Senior Chorale is a community of singers aged 55 and over who gather weekly to explore and perform choral music. This ensemble offers a stimulating blend of fun and challenge, ideal for those with some singing background and previous choir experience. Members enjoy free participation and are welcome from all communities.
About the Director
The Chorale is led by Michelle Gehrz, recently recognized as the Minnesota Choral Director of the Year by the American Choral Directors Association-Minnesota. Sessions are held at the Minnetonka Community Center from September through May, where the group focuses on a diverse repertoire, honing skills and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow music enthusiasts.
Watch our website for registration announcements throughout the year, or call the City of Minnetonka Senior Services at (952) 939-8393.
Youth Choir
MAM partners with the City of Minnetonka to offer high-quality musical programming to youth in grades K-3 from across the metro area. Choirs are open to children from all schools and school districts. The Youth Choirs rehearse at Clear Springs Elementary on Mondays during the rehearsal season (dates are communicated by the Ensemble Director).
About the Conductor
Melanie McIvor has been teaching elementary classroom music and directing children’s choirs with Minnetonka Public Schools for the past 21 years. She has directed children’s choirs with Mount Olivet Lutheran Church and is currently the co-chair for the 4-5-6 Girl’s Honor’s Choir with the American Choral Director’s Association - Minnesota Chapter. She also directs the Select Choir with the Tonka District Children's Choirs for grades 4-6. She is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and completed her master’s degree in teaching and learning through Saint Mary’s University in Winona.