Coming up…

About the Orchestra

The Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra (CVRO) was founded in 1979 by conductor Paul Niemisto as a program of the Northfield Arts Guild. CVRO is a diverse group of volunteer musicians performing symphonic music, drawn together by our love of rehearsing and performing this fine repertoire. Anyone with talent, experience, and motivation is welcome to join us, from exceptional twelve-year-olds to octogenarians.

CVRO players come from twenty-two communities: Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington, Cannon Falls, Dundas, Eagan, Faribault, Farmington, Lake City, Lonsdale, Montgomery, Nerstrand, New Prague, Northfield, Owatonna, Prior Lake, Red Wing, St. Paul, Stanton, Warsaw, Webster, West Concord. If you are interested in joining the group and have not participated before, please email paul.niemisto@gmail.com for more information. Past participants are always welcome to play with the group. We are grateful for your support.

Mission: The CVRO was founded to help create and promote orchestral music culture in the Cannon Valley communities of Southeast Minnesota.

Are you interested in being a CVRO concert or season sponsor, contact michael@northfieldartsguild.org

Interested in joining the orchestra?

The CVRO are always looking for new musician members! Please contact conductor Paul Niemisto at paul.niemisto@gmail.com if interested in joining.

MUSICIAN INFORMATION (2025)

Early Spring Concert – ENGLISH GARDEN

Rehearsals:

Thursday, March 6th at Northfield Middle School, 2200 Division, Northfield 55057 – Set up and ready to rehearse at 7:00 pm.

Thursday, March 13th at Northfield Middle School, 2200 Division, Northfield 55057 – Set up and ready to rehearse at 7:00 pm.

Thursday, March 20th at Northfield Middle School, 2200 Division, Northfield 55057 – Set up and ready to rehearse at 7:00 pm.

Thursday, March 27th at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield 55057 – Set up and ready to rehearse at 7:00 pm.

Dress Rehearsal: Friday, March 28th – Set up and ready to rehearse at 7:00 pm. – Bethel Lutheran; 1321 North Ave in Northfield

Performances:  Saturday, March 29th – Bethel Lutheran in Northfield 3:00  pm concert (arrive at 2:00); Sunday, March 30th – St. Ansgar’s Lutheran in Cannon Falls 3:00  pm concert (arrive at 2:00)

CVRO Details for week of concert
1.  Rehearsal at St John’s Hall Thursday, March 27 7:00
• arrive by 6:30 for setup
• Percussion: whatever Dean can fit in his car and what else he wants from the UCC basement (if needed- access a UCC key). Might need a second vehicle.
• no harpsichord for this rehearsal
• don’t set up the riser blocks- we’ll play on flat floor
• might want to bring a stand light
• bring a music stand
• move all the tables etc back to their original location after rehearsal.
2. Rehearsal at Bethel on Friday, March 28 7:00
• crews arrive by 6:00 for setup
• Percussion: bring all that’s needed for the concert
• YES harpsichord for this rehearsal – crew bring from UCC- (using a borrowed SUV)
• move the riser blocks as planned- Move altar, some handbell tables. Heather has the details.
• might want to bring a stand light
• bring a music stand
• you can leave the setup as it is overnight
3. CONCERT No 1 at Bethel on Saturday, March 29 3:00 PM.
• arrive in time for a quick 2:00 rehearsal
• might want to bring a stand light (may not need in day time)
• bring a music stand
• move the riser blocks back to the original setup, return the altar.
• load harpsichord back in Harpmobile-
4 CONCERT No 2 at St Ansgar’s on Sunday, March 30 3:00 PM.
• crews arrive by 1:30 for setup
• Percussion: bring all that’s needed for the concert
 • harpsichord  – crew bring from Bethel (using a borrowed SUV)
• move the altar
• might want to bring a stand light
• bring a music stand
• move the altar back after concert
• load harpsichord back in  borrowed SUV-return to Northfield.
• percussion: bring all back to Northfield as per Dean’s instructions.
After-concert gathering at Dawn’s in Dundas.

Late Spring Concert – Name TBA

Rehearsals:

Thursday, May 22nd at Oddfellows Park Pavilion, 1011 Forest Avenue, Northfield – Set up and ready to rehearse at 7:00 pm.

Performances:

Friday, May 30th at Oddfellows Park Pavilion, 1011 Forest Avenue, Northfield – Set up and ready to play at 7:00 pm.