Brittany Wagner – Viola

Brittany joined EMSO in 2018 after a 5 year hiatus from playing viola. Brittany is a geologist-in-training (GIT) for American Engineering Testing.  She grew up in New Berlin, WI and now reside in St Paul. In her free time, Brittany enjoy hiking, biking, and crafting. Brittany currently serves as Secretary on the EMSO Board of […]

Brianna Larsen – French Horn

Brianna joined EMSO in the spring of 2018. She grew up in Tea, South Dakota and currently resides in Inver Grove Heights. She comes from a long line of musicians, which includes her mother, who has been a church organist since the age of 13, and her grandmother, who played in a band in the […]

Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas!

The East Metro Symphony Orchestra (EMSO), in collaboration with Applause Community Theatre (ACT), is pleased to present Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas!, a musical concert featuring excerpts from the play by David Caldwell and Ernest Zulia. The performance will be held Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 2499 Helen Street […]

Member Spotlight: Nahree Ki

Nahree Ki is very happy she chose to join the East Metro Symphony Orchestra.  Last year, she was looking for ways to connect musically in her community when an invitation from an EMSO member to join a summer string ensemble introduced her to the orchestra.  “Joining EMSO was the best decision I made in 2018!” […]

Oct 27- French Passions

The East Metro Symphony Orchestra (EMSO) is pleased to present French Passions, a concert featuring the music of French composers, on Sunday, October 27th, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at The Grove United Methodist Church, 7465 Steepleview Road, Woodbury, MN.  Admission to this concert is free. Donations in support of the orchestra’s work in the community […]

EMSO Welcomes Craig Hara

EMSO welcomes a new music director and conductor The East Metro Symphony Orchestra is happy to introduce Craig Hara as its new music director and conductor.  Craig is a multi-faceted musician, educator and producer, playing trumpet, drums, percussion, EVI (electronic valve instrument), guitar, bass, keyboards/synthesizers and vocals. “My appointment to the position of music director […]

Celebrating 10 Years of EMSO

Music and friends abound at EMSO’s final performance of 2018-2019 10th anniversary concert season A tremendous thank you to everyone who made EMSO’s final concert of our 10th anniversary season so sensational! So many wonderful friends and supporters joined us at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater to celebrate the first 10 years of EMSO on May 19, 2019.  Special thanks to our wonderful […]

Member Spotlight: Joyce Laidlaw

Joyce Laidlaw is a natural.  After 46 years with the 3M Symphony Orchestra and East Metro Symphony Orchestra, Joyce knows what it takes to be a part of a musical team. She’s had a lot of great experiences to work from.  “I primarily play clarinet and have been playing since fourth grade.  I also play some […]

10 Years of Music and Community

Saying thank you to EMSO’s artistic partners For the last 10 years, EMSO has had the privilege of partnering with over 40 artistic groups, musical organizations, and individual performers to create a broad range of educational, multicultural, and inspirational orchestral experiences for our orchestra and our audiences.  From solo musicians and church choirs, to dancing companies and cultural musical groups, our artistic partnerships […]