Making classical music more accessible: Meet Minnesota Orchestra CEO Isaac Thompson
Coming up at 9 a.m. on Tuesday

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Isaac Thompson grew up in the Twin Cities dreaming of becoming a professional violinist. His career took him off the stage and into arts leadership — and eventually brought him back home to lead the Minnesota Orchestra, the same institution that inspired him as a kid.
Coming up at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Thompson about his first year as CEO of the orchestra and his vision for making classical music more accessible.
And we want to hear from you, too.
What role has the Minnesota Orchestra played in your life? Why do you enjoy going? What keeps bringing you back? And if you’ve never heard the orchestra, why not?
Call us during the 9 a.m. hour at 651-227-6000 or 800-242-2828.
Guest:
Isaac Thompson is the president and CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra, a role he began in October 2025. He previously served as president and CEO of the Oregon Symphony and held leadership roles at the New York Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
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