The Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis, a nonprofit organization, is one of the oldest community orchestras in the Twin Cities. It is comprised of players drawn from all walks of life. Its mission is to focus on community enrichment and interaction - to bring music to people of all ages and interests. It has grown and flourished under the direction of Cary John Franklin, Music Director since 1994. Sin
ce its inception, the Civic has supported composers and contemporary music by performing numerous commissions and premieres. Long noted for its innovative programming, the Orchestra has received eleven awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a prestigious number for an orchestra of its size. The latest award was given in the Spring of 1999 by the American Symphony Orchestra League in recognition of the Orchestra's performance of works by American composers. The Civic premiered its twentieth commissioned work, by composer William McGlaughlin, on March 17, 2002.
