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All tickets gone for Minnesota Orchestra concert
Staff Writer If you don't already have a ticket but wanted to see one of the finest orchestras in the world - the Minnesota Orchestra - for free right here in Brainerd, it's too late.
The 1,000 tickets that were available for the concert, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Tornstrom Auditorium in the Washington Educational Services Building, were gone before 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The concert will be hosted by the Brainerd School District.
Grant Wilcox, Brainerd High School Chamber Orchestra director, said the Minnesota Orchestra, which consists of nearly 90 musicians, is one of the country's musical gems. Wilcox said the Midwest has three of the finest orchestras in the world, including orchestras in Chicago and St. Louis, and the Minnesota Orchestra ranks among the top.
Wilcox wrote a grant four years ago to have the orchestra come to Brainerd. He said the grant was approved, but the funding later became unavailable through budget cuts. Wilcox said money to bring the orchestra to Brainerd was secured from the Bush Foundation and an anonymous donor.
Wilcox said it would be difficult for Brainerd to have the Minnesota Orchestra perform a concert without financial assistance. He said tickets to see a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra can be more than $100 for a good seat.
The tickets for the Thursday concert are not numbered, so seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wilcox said there will be ushers to seat people, and once the concert starts the doors will be shut. He said movement will be limited for the concert, which will be a little more than an hour long. The concert is not open to children under 6.
The orchestra will perform Beethoven's Third and Eighth Symphonies. Osmo Vanska, the conductor, is acclaimed for his interpretation of Beethoven and he'll bring a different light to the pieces, said Wilcox.
After the concert, there will be a reception with bars, cookies and punch in the gymnasium behind the auditorium. Wilcox said orchestra members also will attend the reception.
Wilcox, who started a chamber orchestra in Brainerd 26 years ago, said he feels lucky and blessed that the elite orchestra is coming to perform in Brainerd.
Wilcox said as many as four Minnesota Orchestra members have traveled to Brainerd in the past 15 years to play in a concert. The members also have worked with Brainerd orchestra students.
"I'm so thankful for this," said Wilcox. "When people hear the different sections they'll be amazed by the sound and color. Each member of the orchestra is a master musician. When put together in sections it's one of the finest examples that the sum is greater than its parts."
Steve Razidlo, assistant superintendent with Brainerd School District, said he's pleased and thrilled to host the Minnesota Orchestra's free concert in Brainerd.
People who have tickets but are unable to attend are asked to return the tickets to the Dispatch.
A waiting list has been started since the demand has exceeded the supply of tickets and people on the list will be notified as tickets are returned.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
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