About MRO

The MRO format is unique. The goal of a typical reading session or rehearsal is to play the music as well as possible immediately—without stopping to fix trouble spots. To play in this fashion, often for the first time, is to "read" the music. This challenges musicians to sight-read unfamiliar material, adapt to changes in tempo and dynamics on the fly, and revisit well-known compositions. Unique in the Twin Cities, this approach gives musicians the opportunity to hone their skills while covering approximately 20 or more works each season, from September through April.

Each season, the MRO presents a public concert, giving the community a window into the orchestra's work and featuring guest soloists alongside a celebratory look at the season's music.

Participation is free and open to musicians of all ages whose skill level is sufficient. Teenagers, people in their 90s, and everyone in between attend reading sessions and perform in concerts. The orchestra generally meets biweekly at Edina High School. Coffee is available at all reading sessions.

Curious what we've played? Browse our full repertoire list HERE.

Artistic Director,
Craig Randal Johnson

A black and white portrait of an older man with gray hair resting his head on his hand on the left side. On the right side, a conductor leading an orchestra in a concert hall with large pipe organ pipes in the background.

Craig Randal Johnson makes music as a conductor, solo pianist, and collaborator, and at times as a symphonic double bassist. Mr. Johnson has performed widely in Germany, Italy, Finland, and across the United States. He has been decorated as "Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland" by the Ambassador of Finland to the United States for his ongoing work as conductor and pianist promoting Finnish music. He holds degrees from Northwestern University (M.M.) and the University of Minnesota (B.A.). Additional studies were completed at the Dartmouth College Congregation of the Arts, Aspen Music Festival, Mozarteum in Salzburg, and the Berlin Conducting Institute. Conducting mentors include Otmar Suitner (GMD Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin), Charles Bruck, Richard Burgin, and Bernard Rubenstein, as well as notable conductors in professional settings.

As MRO Artistic Director, Craig Randal Johnson brings a fresh format to the orchestral experience. The orchestra "reads" — playing repertoire selections for one or two rehearsals before moving on. From a first rehearsal in 2013 with 14 musicians, nearly 200 musicians have performed approximately 190 different works with the MRO in its reading sessions. This format gives musicians the opportunity to play a large and diverse amount of music, often without stopping to rehearse at all. The process encourages better sight-reading, exposure to new repertoire, and a broader musical approach. The MRO generally performs one regular symphony concert per season, with occasional outreach programs.

Johnson has conducted the Florida Symphony, the Rome Festival Orchestra, North Star Opera, the Marquette Symphony, and several U.S. orchestral premieres at seven FinnFest concerts featuring Finnish composers, as well as opera at the Pine Mountain Music Festival (MI) and major stage productions at the Städtische Bühnen Osnabrück in Germany. Program collaborators have included dramatist Eric Bentley, singers Esa Ruuttunen and Mimmi Fulmer, stage director Jussi Tapola, and numerous others. He has toured as a pianist across the United States. Early in his career, Johnson held symphonic double bass positions with the Florida Symphony (Principal), the Aspen Chamber Symphony, Staatsorchester Braunschweig, and the Columbus Symphony in Ohio.

Contributing Members

  • A woman with short blonde hair, wearing an orange sleeveless top and beige pants, sitting on a bench and reading a book in a well-lit room with shadows of window panes on the wall.

    John Bulger

    General Manager, Double Bass
    John holds degrees in music education, business administration, and educational leadership. His career has included roles as an orchestra educator, college instructor, and education finance leader for the State of Minnesota. An experienced bassist, he has performed with numerous community orchestras throughout the Twin Cities and currently plays with the Bloomington Symphony and the Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra.



  • Three musicians playing violins in a choir or orchestra setting during a rehearsal or performance.

    Suzanne Klein

    Concertmaster
    Suzanne is an active freelance violinist and communications professional based in the Twin Cities. She has performed with several orchestras in Minnesota, Virginia, and the Washington, DC metro area over the past 35 years and currently performs with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra and serves as the concertmaster for the Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra. She enjoys playing chamber music with friends and recently started exploring the Hardanger fiddle, playing and learning with the Twin Cities Hardingfelelag.

  • Red-haired woman smiling, wearing a dark blue blazer, holding a silver flute, with a blurred indoor background.

    Charlotte Bartholomew

    Flute, MRO Program Designer
    Charlotte has been an active orchestral flutist and chamber musician in the Twin Cities, Boston, Des Moines, and Salt Lake City areas over the past 35 years. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in flute performance from the University of Minnesota and the University of Utah, respectively, and is a former adjunct music faculty member of Brigham Young University. She has worked in the corporate world as a senior graphic designer for 20+ years.



  • Kenneth Green II

    Trumpet, Conductor
    Dr. Kenneth Green II is Assistant Professor of Music at Augsburg University, where he teaches conducting and music theory and directs the university's bands. He holds degrees from the University of South Carolina, Indiana University, and Shenandoah Conservatory, and remains active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States.

  • A young man with dark skin and short black hair is sitting on a bench in a minimalistic room with beige walls. He is wearing a gray polo shirt and cream-colored pants, gazing to his left with a calm expression.

    John Madura

    Cello
    John Madura studied Music Education at the University of Minnesota and taught orchestra in the Mounds View School District for 44 years. A longtime cellist and educator, he maintains a private cello studio, performs chamber music, and plays with the Minnehaha Repertory Orchestra.

  • Rebecca Petersen

    Violinist
    Rebecca Petersen is a violinist and nonprofit leader who currently serves as Director of Development and Philanthropy at West Central Initiative. She previously served as Executive Director of the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, bringing together her passions for the arts, philanthropy, and community impact.

“My partner and I have attended several of MRO’s orchestral concerts — each one outstanding. Craig R. Johnson assembles and leads a group of musicians that rivals any professional orchestra. If you enjoy classical music at all, do not miss the January 2027 concert.”

- Gary Beiniek, Minneapolis