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About the Minnetonka Civic Orchestra
Through rehearsals and perfomances the Minnetonka Civic Orchestra provides enjoyable, educational and artistically solid musical experiences for its members and audience. It is a non-auditioned community orchestra which rehearses on Monday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Arts Center on 7, 18285 Highway 7, Minnetonka (adjacent to Minnetonka High School)
New members are always welcome, based on seat availability. Individuals wishing to join the ensemble are encouraged to attend a rehearsal to "test drive" the orchestra (visitors are invited to play during their visit, except for the last two rehearsals before a performance). After visiting a rehearsal new members are strongly encouraged to schedule a short welcome visit with the music director in person or by phone.
The orchestra's season runs from September through May with a short summer schedule during the month of June. Performances take place at the Art Center on 7, local churches and other venues around the Twin Cities. Recent repertoire performed includes:
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Beethoven: Symphony #1 -
Rutter: Magnificat (performed with the Waconia High School Honors Choir)
Sibelius: Finlandia -
Strauss: Blue Danube Waltz -
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending -
Vivaldi: ‘Winter’ Concerto from the Four Seasons
About the Conductor
 Scott Winters has been the Civic Orchestra's conductor since 2009. In that time he has received praise for his efforts to develop the ensemble both musically and organizationally. Under his direction the orchestra has taken
on a wider variety of literature (including more challenging works) and established a regular four-concert performance season.
Scott has also established a reputation for creative and inspiring programming during his time with the ensemble. Civic concerts offer a wide range of literature and formats from traditional to contemporary to gently experimental. Scott’s easy stage manner has been described as engaging, witty and informative.
Scott began his conducting career in 1992 when he earned a post on the music faculty at Bethany Lutheran College (Mankato, MN). From 1998 to 2009 he took a break from conducting to found and lead a mid-sized music conservatory in Burnsville, MN. He now spends his time working as a freelance conductor and non-profit consultant. He has worked with many ensembles including the Kenwood Symphony, the St. Paul Jewish Community Center Symphony, the University of Minnesota Symphony, the Minnesota Health Sciences Orchestra and the Dakota Valley Choral Festival Orchestra. He has shared the stage with soloists including Manny Laureano (trumpet), Marni Hougham (English horn), Sheila Raye Charles (gospel singer), Adam Han-Gorski (violin) and Orietta Dado (violin).
In September, 2011 Scott served as Music Director for Minnesotans Standing Together, the state’s official memorial on the 10th anniversary of the 911 attacks. For this event on the mall at the State Capitol, Scott coordinated music by Brother Ali (hip hop), Sheila Raye Charles (gospel), Larry Long (folk) and others. He also conducted a 911 Tribute Orchestra for the event made up of players from the Minnesota Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Sinfonia and the Minnesota Opera Orchestra.
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