As the number of players grew to more than 60, Mr. Schlueter dropped the word Chamber and began performing larger works. MVO  has been the orchestra for Ballet Minnesota's Nutcracker Ballet from 1998 to 2009, and Mr. Schlueter has included the Henry Sibley High School orchestra  in several MVO musical projects. MVO celebrates its 35th Anniversary in 2011.

Though still a civic-based orchestra, MVO has evolved into a polished symphony orchestra performing a broad repertoire ranging from baroque  Bach orchestral suites to romantic Mahler symphonies of gargantuan proportions. The orchestra has also performed new works, many by local composers, and has a long tradition of performing modern works from the twentieth century.