The Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) is pleased to announce that Donna Marie Minano, Board President of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra (SBSO), has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Volunteer Award. The award will be presented at ACSO’s Annual Conference in Costa Mesa, August 7–9, 2025.
Established in 1996, the MVP Volunteer Award honors exemplary individuals and volunteer organizations that contribute meaningfully to the success and sustainability of orchestras and classical music organizations across California and the western United States.
Minano has served as Board President of the San Bernardino Symphony for the past three years and has been a transformational leader throughout her tenure. Her positivity and passion are contagious—she begins each board meeting with the phrase, “I love the SBSO!”—setting a tone of enthusiasm and collaboration that uplifts the entire board and staff.
“Donna is the board leader every orchestra hopes for,” said Anne Viricel, Executive Director of the SBSO. “She has successfully recruited new board members, re-engaged past ones, and fosters a culture of forward-thinking leadership rooted in optimism and inclusion. We truly appreciate her!”
Minano brings a deep commitment to the arts and community service. As the co-founder and co- president of Inland Valley Repertory Theater, she brings a wealth of experience in arts leadership to her role at SBSO. Her cross-sector expertise, combined with her thoughtful and caring leadership style, helps guide the board in making sustainable, strategic decisions—always with a focus on quality and patron experience.
Highly respected in the community, Minano is known for her humility, kindness, and brilliance—qualities that inspire others and enhance the Symphony’s impact and reputation.
ACSO Executive Director Sarah Weber shared, “During good times and challenging times alike, orchestras rely on volunteers to keep the music playing. Donna Marie exemplifies the deep commitment, vision, and generosity that make volunteers indispensable to our field. Her long-standing service, advocacy, and leadership have made a lasting difference for the San Bernardino Symphony
Orchestra and its community.”
ACSO extends its heartfelt congratulations to Donna Marie Minano and celebrates her extraordinary service and lasting impact on the orchestral field.
The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1929 by conductor and newspaper publisher James K. Guthrie, is one of California’s oldest professional orchestras and serves the Inland Empire region with performances at the historic California Theatre for the Performing Arts. Since 2019, acclaimed conductor Anthony Parnther—one of the few Black music directors of a U.S. orchestra—has led the ensemble, garnering sold out concerts and championing works by underrepresented composers, Alongside its subscription series, the Symphony places strong emphasis on education, offering free concerts and instrument workshops to thousands of students annually, a certificated teen program, and a robust Guthrie Music Library supporting schools and local ensembles. With initiatives like the Youth Symphony Wind Ensemble and broad community outreach, the orchestra continues Guthrie’s legacy of accessible, impactful music-making in the region. https://www.sanbernardinosymphony.org/
About the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO):
The Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO), founded in 1969, is a member service organization representing 130+ orchestras and music organizations and their 2,000 board and staff in its network. ACSO’s members are comprised of professional, academic, youth, and community-based orchestras, choruses, and festivals in California and the western region. ACSO’s annual awards program recognizes remarkable individuals and organizations for their meaningful contributions to the orchestra field. To read about all our 2025 award winners, click here. www.acso.org.
