The mission of the Mankato Symphony Orchestra is to create emotion-packed, high-quality musical experiences and promote music education in and for South Central Minnesota. Whether providing free music education for thousands of youths in the schools and through our family concerts, entertaining the crowds at Symphony on the Prairie, or giving a symphonic, chamber, or jazz concert, the Mankato Symphony Orchestra is deeply rooted in the community. Over 12,000 people attend a Symphony event in person and another 50,000 hear our radio broadcasts. Routinely praised for its artistic excellence and innovative programming, the Symphony draws performers and audience from all over Southern Minnesota and is often used by employers as a way to recruit highly skilled employees to Mankato.