Richard Klauer joined EMSO in 2010. Richard is retired from working at Twin Cities based Allina Health Systems as a Senior Project Manager. He is originally from Illinois, and graduated in music from Northern Illinois and West Virginia universities. He was married 33 years and enjoys time with his adult children, restaurant adventures, BBQs, and music […]
admin
Leanne Ekstadt – Oboe
Leanne was raised in Pipestone, Minnesota, and started playing oboe after switching from clarinet in the eighth grade. She earned a B.A. in music education from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, where she studied oboe with Thomas Tempel and Marilyn Ford, while playing in Concert Band and Orchestra. Upon graduating in 1979, Leanne was asked to join […]
Patty Cook – Flute
Patty Cook became a full time member of EMSO in 2015. She plays a Pearl Elegante Flute. Patty began playing the flute in 5th grade, because her mom suggested the flute sounds “like a bird.” Despite the fact it took a month to master the mouthpiece alone, she has never been sorry for her mother’s early guidance, […]
Mark Mohwinkel – Trombone
Mark joined EMSO in 2005. Mark became a member of the former 3M Symphony Orchestra after subbing a few times and getting hooked. In 2019, he retired from his 36-year career with 3M. He left 3M as an Engineering Specialist and the corporate expert in contamination control. Although his career was technical, music has always […]
Kim Heit – Clarinet
Kim Heit joined EMSO in 2006. She plays clarinet and bass clarinet. Kim started playing clarinet in grade school and continued through college, briefly studying with former Minnesota Orchestra Principal Clarinetist Cloyd Williams. She took a long break from music to concentrate on family and work. In 2006, she joined the 3M Symphony Orchestra (now […]
Laura Miller- Bass
Laura’s Music Story: In grade school, children try different instruments to find one that they will eventually learn. My music teacher needed a bass player and enlisted my mom’s help. Since I knew how to play piano and I was one of the tallest in my class I was told that I would be learning […]
Scheherazade’s Tales: A Fools’ Errand?
Once upon a time A brokenhearted sultan was taking his vengeance on all women – having put his beloved wife to death upon learning of her infidelity – by taking a new bride each evening and putting her to death the next morning. He reasoned by doing so he could enjoy the companionship of a […]
Aisling Gheal: A Visionary Collaborative
Read more about the collaboration with the Center for Irish Music for our upcoming concert this weekend! Join us for our concert on Sunday, March 8, 2015 – 3:00PM at the Loft Stage at East Ridge High School, 4200 Pioneer Drive, Woodbury, MN. You won’t want to miss this one! Tickets are available in advance from an orchestra member or through […]
The Genesis of a Performing Partnership
(or, How is it that EMSO and the Trinity Lutheran Choir are performing Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang next weekend?) It turned out that the Valley Chamber Chorale already had their 2013-2014 season already set, but Carol mentioned that she also directed a fine church choir in Stillwater, and perhaps a shared performance between EMSO and her church […]
A Home Cookin’ Retrospective
Somehow while planning the 3M Orchestra’s 2002-2003 season, it occurred to me that it might be interesting to give members of our amateur orchestra the opportunity to step to the front as soloists and in small ensembles. This is simply not done with orchestras like ours, presuming that features should be left to the professionals. […]