St Croix Valley Orchestra Association

* MATCHING GRANT AVAILABLE *

The first $1,000.00 of donations made on the giving day are eligible to be matched. This turns your $50.00 donation into $100.00!!

CELEBRATING 35 YEARS!

OUR MISSION

To enrich the cultural life of Northwest Wisconsin and Eastern Central Minnesota by providing high-quality orchestral performances for audiences throughout the St. Croix Valley and beyond. We are dedicated to fostering musical growth and excellence among instrumental musicians, creating opportunities for artistic collaboration, education, and lifelong learning. Through performance and outreach, we seek to inspire appreciation, awareness, and enjoyment of fine orchestral music in our communities.

OUR VISION

To inspire community in the St. Croix Valley through the joy of creating and experiencing live orchestral music.

OUR HISTORY

In 1991 some local musicians gathered to perform Handel's Messiah. It was so rewarding that the musicians decided to form a permanent orchestra! The St. Croix Valley Orchestra continues today to bring live music of the masters to rural areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin.  

Members constantly contribute to their communities. Chamber groups of string and wind players participate yearly in Amery's "Love your Library" event and a quartet plays for nursing homes.  We also donate money to school music programs in our area and give scholarships to members who graduate high school.

Though the players are volunteers,  expenses such as music purchases, director's salary, stipends for soloists, travel and publicity costs. Your donations also help:

- Purchase and commission new music and equipment

- Rent space

- Subsidize scholarships for members who are graduating and heading to college

A big THANK YOU to all who have donated and supported us through the years!

MEET OUR DIRECTORS!

Matthew Poon, Director

Dr. Matthew Poon is Assistant Professor of Music Theory at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and maintains an active career as a scholar, conductor, and educator. He holds PhD, MA and MM degrees from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Music from McMaster University, and an ARCT diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music.

As a conductor, Matthew serves as Music Director of the St. Croix Valley Orchestra, Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, and Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony.

Zachary Bartsch, Assistant Director

Zachary Bartsch is a Director of Bands (Grade 7-12) and a General Music instructor for the St. Croix Falls School District. A National Board-Certified Teacher, Zach holds a Bachelor of Music Education with an emphasis in Composition from UW-Eau Claire and a Master’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead.

An avid performer and advocate for community music, Zach has played with numerous choirs, orchestras and community bands as well as the Dean’s List Big Band. He has served as Assistant Director of the St. Croix Valley Orchestra since 2023.

ENJOY OUR RECENT VIDEOS!