This year's Finale will again mark the opening of bidding in the Online Auction benefiting the orchestra. 2026 Online Auction bidding will be open for a week and will end on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 3 p.m.

This year’s auction items feature a newly created viola by OVCO Principal Violist Benjamin Kratchmer and Harmony, Minnesota Luthier Mason Weedman. Other items in the auction include free tuition to the Driftless Chamber Music Institute in June; gift certificates for bakery items from Cakes on York of Eyota, Minnesota; a hand-made journal book by Emily Mineart; a commission of scared music for worship by OVCO trombonist and composer Daniel Raney; lessons with cellist Craig Hultgren; and a hand-sewn baby set of hat, bib, and tether, among other items.

The items will be available for bidding on the GalaBid site at https://galabid.com/ovco-2026-auction.