Friends of MMI

The Cuban American Youth Orchestra (CAYO)  advances the ideals of peaceful coexistence with our neighbors through cultural exchange, artistic and educational programming, and youth development. Our workshops and tours provide a place for Cuban and American pre-professional musicians to learn and collaborate together. Learn more at www.cayomusic.org, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CubanAmericanYouthOrchestra/, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/somoscayo, and Instagram at instagram.com/cayo2018/.

The International Clarinet Association is a community of clarinetists and  clarinet enthusiasts that supports projects that will benefit clarinet performance; provides opportunities for the exchange of ideas, materials, and information among its members; fosters the composition, publication, recording, and distribution of music for the clarinet; encourages the research and manufacture of a more definitive clarinet; encourages communication and cooperation among clarinetists and the music industry; and encourages and promotes the performance and teaching of a wide variety of repertoire for the clarinet.

The International Double Reed Society (IDRS) was established in December of 1971 and is a world-wide organization of double reed (oboe and bassoon family) players, instrument manufacturers and enthusiasts. The society has over 3,500 members from 56 countries. Within the United States, 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are represented.

An annual conference is hosted at a different location each year all over the world and gathers hundreds of oboists, bassoonists, manufacturers and distributors.  Midwest Musical Imports is always present at the American conferences!  We encourage you to follow the link and become a member!

Minnesota Youth Symphonies is one of the nation's premier education programs for youth interested in orchestra music. It is dedicated to conservatory level training for orchestra students.

The Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition, or MQVC, and bassoon symposium is a three day event of bassoon master classes, performances, presentations, and a competition for young women from North, Central, and South America. The events are open to all, and the competition is for women who are citizens of the Americas enrolled in school prior to the competition, and will not be the age of 24 by the time of the competition.

A non-profit organization that is looking to expand music opportunities for the bassoon by encouraging composers to write original pieces for the bassoon. This competition is held every other year, and includes a panel of judges that is comprised of professional musicians that provide feedback to each composer, and the winner gets their piece published and recorded.

Based in Puerto Rico, the Oboe Mobile Foundation is a 501(c)3 national music charity that not only provides instruments to underprivileged students but it also strives to strengthen interpersonal and community values through the development of educational and cultural programs with the oboe.

The GTCYS is an educational organization run by Mark Russell that has transformed students and enriched the community for over forty years. They provide access to orchestral music opportunities to more than 16,000 children and adults through educational programs, free outreach workshops, activities, concerts, and special performances.