Dubuque Symphony Orchestra

We are excited to be a part of Great Give Day - a day for friends, families, and community members to come together for 24 hours to celebrate and support local nonprofits!  

The DSO impacts more than 25,000 individuals, annually.  Your Great Give Day gift will support the DSO’s: 

• Four Youth Ensembles, a premier training program for 80+ young musicians in our community, and a quartet that performs at summertime markets, festivals and more
• Arts Trek concerts for  4,000  local 3rd and 5th graders
• Adopt-a-Musician program for  850  local 4th graders
• Summer Melodies concert at the Alliant Energy Amphitheater (Star building), which is free and open to the public
• Ability to bring world-class guest artists and phenomenal musicians to our stage

Your gift today is critically important because it has an immediate and positive impact on our mission by helping to meet daily expenditures. Moreover, it helps to fill in the gaps not covered by ticket sales or other sources of revenue such as sponsorships and grants. 

YOUR GREAT GIVE DAY GIFT SUPPORTS ALL OF THIS!  DONATE NOW!

Mission:  The mission of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is to engage the tri-state community and enrich its quality of life through live musical performances and educational programs. 

In addition to the programs listed above, the DSO provides four pairs of classical music concerts, two Masterwork productions, three holiday concerts, three DSO Rocks! concerts, as well as chamber, family and summertime pops concerts.  Its primary focus is performance to engage, enlighten and educate people living in the tri-state area. The DSO will impact more than 25,000 individuals, including 6,000 children in Dubuque and the tri-state region this year!

DSO History:  The Dubuque Symphony Orchestra (DSO) was established in 1958 as the University Civic Symphony, having been under the auspices of the University of Dubuque for many years prior. Founding Music Director Dr. Parviz Mahmoud retired in 1985 after 27 years. His successor, Nicholas Palmer, increased the number of concerts, added new pops and education programs plus strengthened the artistic caliber of the orchestra until being named Conductor Emeritus in 1999.   Dr. William Intriligator was chosen to be the third Music Director and Conductor in 2000. 

DSO Today:  Thanks to Maestro Intriligator's artistic direction and DSO leaders, the orchestra has attracted new audiences and musicians, introduced staged opera, musical theater and ballet productions, added more education and pops concerts, invited nationally recognized soloists to perform as guest artists, and forged new community partnerships. 

The orchestra is governed by a 24-member volunteer Board of Directors who work closely with Executive Director Mark Wahlert and Music Director/Conductor Dr. William Intriligator. Annual operations are guided by a one-year business plan and a five-year strategic plan. 

The DSO's League, comprised of 135 community members, support a portion of the DSO's important music appreciation and education programs, and volunteer at DSO concerts, events and much more.

YOUR GREAT GIVE DAY GIFT SUPPORTS ALL OF THIS!  DONATE NOW!

Thank you for supporting the DSO and investing in the magic of music. We are honored to be a part of what makes the Dubuque area such a special place to live, work and play!