The Minnesota State Band, established in 1898, is the official band of the State of Minnesota and the only remaining state band in the United States. Founded under the direction of Christian Selling, the ensemble quickly gained national recognition, with members recruited by John Philip Sousa and Selling himself going on to work with Oscar Hammerstein I in New York.
Rooted in the rich tradition of American concert bands, the Minnesota State Band honors the legacy of Sousa by programming a dynamic mix of popular and symphonic works. Today it operates as a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization continuing its 125+ year tradition, completing six international goodwill tours across Europe since 1986.
