The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra proves that art isn't just entertainment—it can be a key part of building community. Through concerts that bring diverse audiences together and revitalization efforts that have transformed its downtown home, the MSO stands as one of Milwaukee's most dynamic civic institutions.
Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Mark Niehaus, President and Executive Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Mark spent 14 years as the MSO's principal trumpet before the board tapped him in 2012 to lead the organization.
Under his leadership, the MSO completed an extraordinary restoration of the 1930s Warner Grand Theatre, expanding it into the Bradley Symphony Center. It opened in 2021, sparking renewal along West Wisconsin Avenue. As Wisconsin's largest performing arts institution, the MSO employs 70 full-time professional musicians who perform over 130 concerts annually and generate an estimated $55 million in economic activity.
Topics Discussed on this Episode:
- Mark's atypical career path from musician to organizational leader
- Why the Bradley Symphony Center restoration was critical for the orchestra's future
- The MSO's role in revitalizing downtown Milwaukee
- Growing institutionally at a time in which some orchestras are struggling
- Cultivating audiences for traditional art forms in a digital world
- The economic impact of arts organizations beyond cultural experience
- Hope for the future of orchestras and performing arts in America