Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minneapolis

For more than 50 years, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra has engaged eardrums with a vast repertoire of classical masterpieces and scores of newly commissioned works—and earned 17 ASCAP awards for its adventurous programming in the process. And their approach to artistic leadership is equally innovative. Each season, a coterie of internationally distinguished partners takes up the baton to lead the ensemble in turn. But that emphasis on setting a high creative bar doesn't mean the orchestra is stuffy. They welcome newcomers and seasoned season ticket-holders alike to come to free pre-concert discussions, which bring scholars, guest artists, conductors, and musicians to chat with audiences about the upcoming performance and their favorite mac 'n' cheese recipes.