Follow Minnesota Orchestra's first-of-its-kind tour to South Africa

Outreach takes center stage for orchestra tour of South Africa

As the first orchestra to travel to South Africa, the Minnesota Orchestra did much more than just play in historic concert venues - they worked side-by-side with young musicians in an equal learning exchange.

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Embracing the soul of Soweto as Minnesota Orchestra finds music is universal language

A concert at the spiritual home of the struggle against apartheid forged powerful connections.

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An extended goodbye in Johannesburg as the trip wraps up with an emotional finale

Powerful lessons learned, the musicians look back and look forward. But next stop: home.

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A young South African symphony takes its cue from the Minnesota Orchestra

After a 2014 visit, Osmo Vänskä had promised to return. He and his musicians gave the South African National Youth Orchestra a week of intense training — and a lot of confidence-building.

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It's truly a family affair for some of the touring musicians: 'We've had about 50 babysitters'

For touring musicians who have kids under 2 years old, the orchestra pays for a caregiver to come along.

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Concert in anti-apartheid Soweto church is an ode to joy — in many languages

The performance brought the crowd packed into the historic Regina Mundi Catholic Church to its feet, singing, stepping and clapping.

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Minnesota Orchestra crosses divide between South Africa's grand halls and shantytowns

A quarter-century after the end of apartheid, South Africa is still grappling with massive income and wealth gaps that fall along racial lines.

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In teaching young South African talents, Minn. Orchestra musicians find their own inspiration

While encouraging young South African talents, Minnesota Orchestra musicians are finding inspiration of their own.

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Touring involves a 1,000-mile, high-stakes truck ride with precious cargo

Some of the instruments also need their own kind of visas to travel.

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Minnesota Chorale joins voices with South African singers: 'It's magic all the way'

Minnesota Chorale loosens up, while the South Africans get a lesson in German.

Concert

At a historic concert in Cape Town, music echoes the words of Nelson Mandela

During a rousing, sold-out start for the Minnesota Orchestra in South Africa, the former president's words were sung by a soaring soprano.

Minnesota Orchestra South Africa preview

Nelson Mandela's daughter calls the Minnesota Orchestra in South Africa an important outreach effort.

Preview

Trip to South Africa is the flowering of 'a new way' for Vänskä and his veterans

The orchestra embarks for South Africa this week, realizing "a big dream" for its players and partners.

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Musicians make a grim pilgrimage to Mandela's prison cell: 'I know I don't have that strength'

A former prisoner led the grim trek through Robben Island, where South Africa's future president spent 18 years.

Review

The orchestra throws itself a send-off party filled with American fireworks

Review: The Minnesota Orchestra previewed its all-American program for next week's appearance at London's BBC Proms.

Q&A

Meet the orchestra's new CEO: 'The Minnesota model really resonates with me'

Incoming CEO Michelle Miller Burns vows to continue open, collaborative leadership at Minnesota Orchestra.

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London critics give Vänskä mixed reviews for BBC Proms concert

review: British critics were caught by surprise by programming.

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Orchestra sounds a note of joy with Beethoven's Ninth and South African premiere

The Minnesota Orchestra's South Africa day ends in joy, with a tribute to Nelson Mandela.

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'Music became a weapon against apartheid,' Mandela's daughter says as orchestra previews its program

"We're not in Kansas anymore, are we?" joked the evening's host, Brian Newhouse of Classical MPR, after the drums had quieted and the applause died down.