Home - Friends of the SPCO

The mission of the Friends of the SPCO is to support The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra through educational, social and fundraising activities.

Greetings from the President!

Welcome to the world of the Friends of the SPCO! Our 2024-25 season is underway with activities that support and promote our beloved Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and we hope you are already enjoying them. Early in November we wrapped up a superb four-week series of lectures on Mendelssohn by Dr. Daniel Freeman, underscoring how restrained his Romantic compositions were compared to those of his contemporaries. Also this fall, by contrast, we presented a very different musical dynamic in a performance by the internationally acclaimed barbershop group, St. Croix Crossing, in the convivial atmosphere of Summit Brewery’s Ratskeller.

Yet as exciting as those events were, we’re thrilled in a completely different way by the launch of our new Project Connect, an educational venture that brought students from Walker West Music Academy to their first concert with the SPCO. There they heard a wonderful program offering both traditional and truly novel compositions, at which they were recognized by the SPCO’s newest Artistic Partner, composer-conductor-cellist Abel Selaocoe, who led the ensemble and performed as soloist in an extraordinary work the SPCO had commissioned from him, Four Spirits. He also took time to visit personally with the students and their parents in a post-concert session that left everyone exhilarated – students, family members, Walker West staff and Friends volunteers. We are so grateful for all who helped bring this about, especially SPCO musicians and leadership!

We invite you to join our enthusiastic group of SPCO fans and take part in projects like these going forward. Thanks in advance for all the support you give as a donor or volunteer or both. The stronger our ranks, the more we can do for the SPCO!

Inez Bergquist
President, Friends of the SPCO

Upcoming Events

Jan 8, 15, 22, 29 @ 10:30 am to noon

Winter Freeman Lecture Series

Vivaldi’s Other Legacy: His Female Music Students in Venice

Our winter lectures have a fascinating topic: the masterpieces Vivaldi wrote to be performed by young women at an orphanage known for music instruction – which they performed so brilliantly that their concerts were the talk of Venice and sought after by international travelers. Via Zoom. Wednesday mornings from 10:30 am to noon, January 8, 15, 22, 29.

Tickets available soon: $35- $140

April 2, 9, 16, 23 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Spring Freeman Lecture Series

Rossini’s Beloved Comic Opera: The Barber of Seville

For these talks, Dr. Freeman has chosen music as enchanting as spring – delightful Rossini tunes and operatic vignettes that have charmed audiences for more than two centuries. In person at House of Hope Presbyterian Church, 797 Summit Ave., Saint Paul. Wednesday mornings from 10 am to noon, April 2, 9, 16, 23.

Tickets available soon: $35- $140