The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra history

For its first season, 1966-67, the SPCO recruited two dozen musicians, including several first-chair players from the Minneapolis Symphony, to perform 10 concerts in a high school auditorium.

Sell's creative approach to problem-solving was his method of selecting a new music director: he used the 1971-72 season to audition prospects.

Dennis Russell Davies, considered one of the country's leading proponents and conductors of contemporary music, became SPCO music director in 1972.

Matters finally took a turn for the better in 1979, when John H. Myers, the retired head of a large St Paul industrial concern, agreed to serve as chairman of the SPCO board.

Davies as music director in 1980.

Zukerman, they point out, is bound to leave the SPCO eventually (he's under contract through 1985-86), and given its history of financial instability the orchestra has no business taking on the expensive long-term commitment entailed by the addition of 10 new players.

In 1987, Zukerman stepped down as music director to concentrate on his recital and concert career.

Hugh Wolff assumed the role of SPCO music director and responsibility for the Chamber Orchestra's overall artistic policies and programming in 1992-93.

In May 1993 the Chamber Orchestra completed a tremendously successful three-week, five-country European tour with James Galway and Emanuel Ax.

"Paper Music," the first recorded collaboration between the SPCO and Bobby McFerrin, was released by Sony Classical in July 1995.

In the spring of 1996, Hugh Wolff led the SPCO on its acclaimed first concert tour of Japan.

Bobby McFerrin will retain the creative chair position through the 1997-98 season.

Starting in January 1998, Wolff and the Chamber Orchestra tour nationally for two weeks with Emanuel Ax.