Slated for July 18 to 20, 2017, Fantasy Camp offers amateur musicians an opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall

Experience includes breakout sessions, rehearsals and a public performance; Osmo Vänskä conducts and Sarah Hicks leads special sessions

The Minnesota Orchestra today announced plans to revive its popular Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp, a multi-day orchestral immersion experience offering amateur musicians a unique opportunity to rehearse and perform side-by-side with the Minnesota Orchestra this summer, under the baton of Music Director Osmo Vänskä. The 2017 Fantasy Camp experience—which marks the first such camp the Orchestra has offered since 2011—culminates in a performance of Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture with Camp participants and Minnesota Orchestra musicians performing together onstage at Orchestra Hall.

Running from July 18 to 20, 2017, the Fantasy Camp experience will include sectional rehearsals led by musicians; a break-out session on the “Art of Conducting” led by Principal Conductor of Live at Orchestra Hall Sarah Hicks, who will be involved in many Fantasy Camp activities; a backstage seminar providing an insider’s view of Orchestra programming from the Artistic Planning department; and the essence of the camp: two rehearsals with the Orchestra and a culminating performance led by Music Director Osmo Vänskä, as part of the Orchestra’s July 20 Season Sampler Concert.

“This is an experience designed for music lovers who have imagined what it would feel like to make music onstage at Orchestra Hall with Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra,” said President and CEO Kevin Smith. “The Orchestra’s first Fantasy Camp in 2011 was extremely well received, and we are really pleased to add the program back into our line-up this summer.”

Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp is intended for adults (18+) who are proficient players of a standard orchestral string, woodwind or brass instrument, or percussion. Additional information and application materials are available at minnesotaorchestra.org.  The cost to participate is $600.

Details about Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp

Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp is designed as a fun, friendly and non-competitive program, with no audition necessary.  Applications will be accepted online through Monday, May 26.  Up to 50 applicants will be selected for the camp based on their musical background/training, essay submission, involvement in current musical activities, and the instrumentation needed for the Roman Carnival Overture. Applicants will be notified of their status by June 12.

Participants will be responsible for having their part rehearsal-ready by the opening of the camp on July 18. Individual orchestral parts of Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture are available for download on the Orchestra’s website. 

The participation fee includes up to 10 complimentary VIP tickets for friends and family to attend the evening concert on July 20; electronic copies of professional photos from the experience; a complimentary copy of the Orchestra’s latest CD recording, signed by Music Director Osmo Vänskä; and complimentary meals throughout the experience.

For full information about Minnesota Orchestra Fantasy Camp, visit minnesotaorchestra.org, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Star Tribune is the Minnesota Orchestra’s media partner for the 2016-17 season.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

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