Symphony Orchestra
Celebrating a Century of Symphony
The Minnesota JCC Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest continuously running community orchestras in the country, now approaching its 100th anniversary season. Housed within the Marvin Pertzik Center for Jewish Arts & Culture and led by conductor Dr. Mark Elliot Bergman, the Symphony brings musicians and audiences together through inspiring performances and a shared love of music. Its diverse repertoire spans classical masterpieces, contemporary works, and compositions from around the world, with a special emphasis on Jewish composers and the rich tradition of music as a means of storytelling, celebration, and connection.
Upcoming Concerts
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 • 7 PM • CAPP CENTER ST. PAUL
Symphonic Sounds From the North Star State
The Minnesota JCC Symphony Orchestra celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of Minnesota and Jewish culture through music that reflects community, heritage, and shared purpose. Lucas Richman’s Tikkun Olam brings orchestra and choir together in a powerful expression of the Jewish commitment to repairing the world. The Debbie Friedman Suite, arranged by Or Oren, honors the beloved singer-songwriter who was raised in Saint Paul and whose music transformed Jewish worship and communal singing across North America. Her songs continue to inspire generations through their messages of faith, inclusion, and connection. Completing the program is Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s vibrant Hiawatha Suite, inspired by Longfellow’s epic poem and its evocative portrayal of the landscapes and stories associated with Minnesota. Together, these works celebrate the people, traditions, and values that connect communities in the North Star State and beyond.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 • 7 PM • CAPP CENTER ST. PAUL
Heartland
The Minnesota JCC Symphony Orchestra celebrates the enduring power of music to bring people together in a program that reflects the values at the heart of our organization: community, cultural heritage, and symphonic excellence. Aaron Copland’s Prairie Night and Celebration Dance evoke the beauty, energy, and open landscapes of the American heartland, while his beloved Old American Songs transforms familiar folk melodies into vibrant musical portraits of the nation’s diverse traditions. As one of America’s most celebrated Jewish composers, Copland’s music speaks to the rich interplay between cultural identity and shared civic life.
The concert includes Beethoven’s groundbreaking Symphony No. 1, a work honoring the symphonic tradition while boldly pioneering a new path forward. Together, these works celebrate the many voices that shape our communities and the power of the symphony orchestra to unite audiences across generations, backgrounds, and experiences.
Meet Symphony Conductor, Dr. Mark Elliot Bergman
Dr. Mark Elliot Bergman is a conductor, educator, composer, and performer committed to building dynamic and inclusive musical communities. He serves as Professor and Artist in Residence at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, where he directs the Augsburg Symphony Orchestra, teaches composition, and coaches chamber music. He also leads Wyoming Baroque, a professional ensemble dedicated to historically informed performance.
Mark brings extensive experience with university and community orchestras. He studied conducting with Lawrence Leighton Smith at Yale University and Anthony Maiello at George Mason University. Each summer, he performs with Assisi Performing Arts in Assisi, Italy, and with the Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, Oregon. He previously served as Principal Double Bassist of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and the Mato Grosso Chamber Orchestra in Cuiabá, Brazil, and he held faculty and ensemble leadership positions at Sheridan College in Wyoming and George Mason University in Virginia.
Mark earned his doctorate at George Mason University and holds additional degrees from Yale University, the Eastman School of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music.
