MVCO

 

History

The Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra (MVCO) was formed in 2000. Now in its twenty-fourth season, the MVCO serves Bismarck-Mandan with music for the 19–24-piece chamber orchestra and ensembles of two to ten musicians.
The MVCO has collaborated with many varied local arts organizations. Recently, the MVCO String Quartet and the Woodwind Quintet played at BisMarket in Kiwanis Park. The MVCO has made music with Frog Holler String Band (a 5-piece swing and blues band), Inspiraré (a local adult vocal ensemble), Bismarck State College Poetry Workshop students, Central Dakota Children's Choir, the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Youth Orchestra, Bismarck High School jazz choir students, Northern Plains Dance, Capital Fencing Alliance, the University of Mary Steel Drum Band, BAGA visual artist Ali LaRock, and the Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus. It has shared the stage with music faculty from the University of Mary, Bismarck State College, Minot State University and Dickinson State University. The MVCO is the accompanying ensemble for the annual community performance of Handel’s Messiah.
The Orchestra strives to introduce children to the delights of live music. Recent kid-friendly performances include “The Three Billy Goats Gruff,” “The Bremen Town Musicians,” “The Tortoise and the Hare,” and “Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham, Chamber Orchestra Version.” The MVCO provides one free child admission with a paid adult or senior ticket.  Donations have made it possible for many students to obtain free concert tickets through their school music teachers.
The Orchestra seeks to reach underserved audiences through complimentary tickets to Burleigh County Senior Adults and Ronald McDonald House. A variety of concert venues such as Bismarck State College, Ruth Meier’s Hospitality House, the YMCA, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, St. George's Episcopal Church, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran Church and the ND Heritage Center take orchestra music to many parts of our community.
The MVCO contributes to economic development of our community by providing paid performance venues for its musicians and for its many collaborative arts partners. Its members provide background music for business and social events. Its concerts are regularly found in cultural events of the Capital City community calendars, drawing tourists and citizens from outlying towns and states.

 

arts