A cornerstone of cultural arts in Southeast Minnesota
The Rochester Symphony was founded in 1919 as a professional performing arts organization called the Rochester Orchestra. Its earliest ensemble — the Lawler-Dodge Orchestra — was founded in 1912 as a volunteer orchestra motivated by their passion to play, driven by Daisy Plummer, wife of world famous Mayo Clinic physician, Dr. Henry Plummer and directed by Harold Cooke. In early years, the Orchestra appeared in the former Chateau Theatre where they performed background music for silent movies.
Music Director
Chia-Hsuan Lin
After an extensive search for a new Music Director, Chia-Hsuan Lin began her tenure at Rochester Symphony in our 2024-25 Season.
Hailed by the Virginia Gazette as “a rock solid” and “animated” conductor, Chia-Hsuan Lin (pronounced “jah-shwen”) believes in the transformational power of symphonic music. Associate Conductor of the Richmond Symphony, Lin also works extensively in the Twin Cities, with guest appearances including the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
With broad experience in artistic leadership roles, and years of relationship building, programming, and guest conducting, she looks forward to how she might serve the Rochester community through the transformational power of symphonic music.
Auditions
Orchestra
Orchestra auditions are now complete for the 2022-23 season.
If you would like to be informed of future audition dates, please email info@rochestersymphony.org and include your name and instrument to be added to our notification list.
CHORALE
Auditions are now open for the 2024-25 season.
If you would like to be notified should openings occur, please email info@rochestersymphony.org and include your name and voice range to be added to our notification list.
Auditions
All auditions for orchestra and chorale are now complete for the 2022/23 season.
If you would like to be notified should openings occur, please email info@rochestersymphony.org and include your name and instrument or voice range to be added to our notification list.
Chorale director
Colleen Chester
Dr. Colleen Chester will lead her first season with the Rochester Symphony Chorale in our 2025/26 Season. Chester serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Winona State University where she she directs all choral ensembles in addition to teaching courses in music education (conducting, secondary choral methods, and vocal pedagogy) and Women in Music. In 2024 she received an Outstanding Professor Award.
Prior to her graduate studies, she was the Director of Vocal Music at San Luis Obispo High School and Laguna Middle School in San Luis Obispo, California. Her passion for music-making at all levels has led to her work with numerous church, community, and non-profit organizations including Choral Arts Initiative, San Luis Obispo Master Chorale, Canzona Women’s Chorus, Pacific Chorale, and Oregon Bach Festival.
Chester is actively involved in the community as a clinician, presenter, and conductor, and maintains a professional singing agenda both as a mezzo-soprano soloist and ensemble member of mirabai. She holds degrees from California State University, Fullerton (BA Music Education), University of Georgia (MM Conducting), and Michigan State University (DMA Conducting). Dr. Chester is thrilled to be joining the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale's artistic team and working to uphold the legacy of artistic and community engagement with the organization.
Board of Directors
CHAIR
Jodi Melius
Executive Committee
Amy Lindstrom, President & CEO
Joseph Mish, Vice-Chair
Matt Roisum, Treasurer
Mary Beth Sancomb-Moran, Secretary
Directors
Amy Andrews
Andrew Good
Rafael Jimenez
Mark Neville
Sarah Schaefer Meier, Chorale Representative
Orin Larson, Orchestra Representative
