Des Moines Symphony

Start your Symphony season off right with a celebratory dinner prior to the Joshua Bell concert!

Gala Dinner Directions

The Gala Opening Night Dinner will be held at People's Court at 216 Court Avenue (the SE corner of 3rd and Court Avenue). Parking is available at the parking ramp located at the NE corner of 3rd and Court Avenue (enter on 3rd) and also on the streets surrounding the area. Both People's Court and the parking ramp are located just two blocks south of the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines.

Violinist extraordinaire Joshua Bell of The Red Violin fame will make his debut with the Des Moines Symphony at this festive gala concert. The orchestra will open the concert and show off its virtuosity with Richard Strauss' portrayal of the insatiable lover Don Juan, followed by one of Tchaikovsky's most scenic and familiar pieces, Capriccio Italien. This concert will deserve your Ovation!

Media partner: KCCI TV–8

About Joshua Bell

GALA DINNER
There's no better way to kick of the season and celebrate 70 years of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra than with our Gala Opening Night Dinner. Join us for fine wine and an exceptional meal to make your Gala evening complete. Reservations are now being accepted. Black–tie optional.

Happy Hour With The Des Moines Symphony Orchestra

Free Admission, Free Appetizers & Cash Bar with Specialty Martinis

Register to win a $50 gift certificate to River Bend Trading Company.

Symphony with a Twist was developed to encourage young people to discover the symphony in a casual atmosphere. During this happy hour, mingle with your peers and enjoy  insight into orchestral music. An open rehearsal will take place during the second half of the event and will feature the music of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition which will be performed at the Symphony's concerts on October 20 and 21.

Strauss: Overture to “Die Fledermaus” (The Bat)

Dvorak: Noonday Witch

Saint-Saens: Danse Macabre

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

The supernatural has long been a part of literature, drama and music. Our season of celebration has a spooky start, featuring music that is chilling, thrilling, and spine-tingling. It begins with the overture to Strauss’ beloved operetta Die Fledermaus and Dvorak’s Noonday Witch. The Des Moines Symphony’s own Jonathan Sturm is featured in the mysterious Danse Macabre based on Henri Cazalalis’ death poem. The expressive Pictures at an Exhibition invokes the imagination and ends this concert on a majestic note.

During the concert the lobbies will showcase our own Pictures at an Exhibition with artwork from local area students. Select Des Moines schools (grade school through college) will participate in a music enrichment activity. Students will have the chance to hear a quartet play this work and draw what the music has inspired in them. Twelve drawings will be showcased in the lobbies during the concert. Drawings will be placed with plaque cards telling the artist, age and school. Concert attendees will be able to see how music can relate to art and how age interprets music.

Strauss: Overture to “Die Fledermaus” (The Bat)

Dvorak: Noonday Witch

Saint-Saens: Danse Macabre

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

The supernatural has long been a part of literature, drama and music. Our season of celebration has a spooky start, featuring music that is chilling, thrilling, and spine-tingling. It begins with the overture to Strauss’ beloved operetta Die Fledermaus and Dvorak’s Noonday Witch. The Des Moines Symphony’s own Jonathan Sturm is featured in the mysterious Danse Macabre based on Henri Cazalalis’ death poem. The expressive Pictures at an Exhibition invokes the imagination and ends this concert on a majestic note.

During the concert the lobbies will showcase our own Pictures at an Exhibition with artwork from local area students. Select Des Moines schools (grade school through college) will participate in a music enrichment activity. Student will have the chance to hear a quartet perform this work and draw what the music has inspired in them. Twelve drawings will be showcased in the lobbies during the concert. Drawings will be placed with plaque cards telling the artist, age and school. Concert attendees will be able to see how music can relate to art and how age interprets music.

DBR - Daniel Bernard Roumain, Violin

Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances

Roumain: Voodoo Violin Concerto No. 1

Tchaikovksy: March Slavonic

The revolutionary composer, performer and band leader, Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) will perform his Voodoo Violin Concerto No. 1, which mixes Haitian folk phrases, improve and American hymns into one stellar piece. From the energetic rhythms and romantic themes of Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances to Tchaikovsky’s brilliant and majestic March Slavonic, you will not want to miss this extraordinary program.

DBR - Daniel Bernard Roumain, Violin

Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances

Roumain: Voodoo Violin Concerto No. 1

Tchaikovksy: March Slavonic

Des Moines Choral Society, James Rodde, Director

Carrie Mineck, Soprano
Korby Myrick, Alto
Eduardo Alberto Tercero, Tenor
Brian Major, Baritone

The Des Moines Symphony performs Handel’s beloved setting of Messiah with soloists and chorus. Maestro Giunta will recreate the 1743 London version, adding some of Mozart’s suggestions. This rich, insightful oratorio inspires emotion and stirs the soul.

Banker’s Trust presents

I Got Rhythm, Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland Songbook

Jeff Harnar
Shauna Hicks

December 31, 8 p.m.

Hoyt Sherman Place is the perfect venue to celebrate the past and dream about the future. The Des Moines Symphony is pleased to share the stage this New Year’s Eve with two charming performers in a tribute to Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. This nostalgic performance features some of the greatest songs and song writers of all time, including selections by George and Ira Gershwin, Richard Rogers, Lorenzo Hart and Harold Arlen. Ring in 2008 with a sure fire bang and join the Des Moines Symphony for New Year’s Eve!

Media Partner: KCCI TV-8

World-renowned violinist, Midori, will be in Des Moines January 29-February3 for the Midori Orchestra Residency Program hosted by the Des Moines Symphony Academy. During her week-long Reidency Midori will be working with area youth, the Greater Des Moines Youth Symphony, area schools and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra.

Part of the Midori Orchestra Residency our youth symphonies have the chance to not only learn from Midori but play with Midori. This concert is FREE and open to the public. Come hear the wonderful talent of the Greater Des Moines Youth Symphonies and Midori.

Midori, Violin

von Weber: Jubel Overture

Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber

Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1, Opus 77 (99)

The Des Moines Symphony is honored to be selected as one of two orchestras in the country to be a site for the Midori Orchestra Residency Program. Her week in Des Moines includes working with Symphony Academy students, classroom visits and master classes culminating with her performance of one of the great twentieth century concertos by Russian composer Shostakovich.

von Weber: Jubel Overture

Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber

Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1, Opus 77 (99)

The Des Moines Symphony is honored to be selected as one of two orchestras in the country to be a site for the Midori Orchestra Residency Program. Her week in Des Moines includes working with Symphony Academy students, classroom visits and master classes culminating with her performance of one of the great twentieth century concertos by Russian composer Shostakovich.

 Mesia Partner: KCCI TV-8

Leopold Stokowski’s admiration of Bach, Alan Hovhaness’ love of mountains and Gustov Holst’s fascination with space makes this program a labor of love. The Planets has become a favorite among concert-goers and will truly inspire with breathtaking photography from several of NASA’s unmanned spacecrafts.

Media Partner: KCCI TV-8

The Des Moines Symphony Academy Presents Pajama-Rama with Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players. Des Moines' favorite children's band is back for another rockin' concert to benefit the Des Moines Symphony Academy!

Join Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players for a concert that is bound to have the whole family grooving. As a critically acclaimed artist and winner of several Parents Choice Gold Awards, Justin keeps children and adults alike bopping to his fun, infectious beats. Don your favorite PJ's, bring a pillow for up-close children's seating and get ready for one fun pajama party!

And don't forget to make reservcations for the post-concert PJ's and PB&J lunch!

This concert will be held on Saturday, April 12 at 11am (doors open at 10:30 am) at the Scottish Rite Consistory. Free parking will be available at the Park & Ride Ramp located on 7th and Center Street.

Tickets are $15 for the concert, or $20 for the concert and PB&J lunch. Groups of 10 or more will receive a 10% discount (must be purchased as a group). Children 24 months and younger are FREE.

If you have any questions or to order tickets, please contact Nikki Syverson at 515.280.4017 or nikki@dmsymphony.org

Our season finale begins with the peaceful and life affirming warmth of Jean Sibelius’ music. Christopher O’Riley, most widely known for his NPR show “From the Top,” shows his own talent on the keyboard with the Ravel Concerto in G minor. Closing this season o f celebration is Saint-Saens’ majestic organ symphony. With its energetic and triumphant finale, this is a wonderful conclusion to the Symphony’s 70^th anniversary season.

For single tickets, click here.

The Des Moines Symphony Academy is giving you 5 Chances to Win! Order a Raffle ticket and you could win:

$1,000 to spend at Joseph's Jewelers.

$500 to dine at Des Moines' hottest restaurants.

A wine tasting for 20 and a two-month wine club membership from WineStyles.

A private performance by an Academy ensemble.

Or even a chance to take a free class at the Academy.

For purchasing a ticket, you and a guest may join us at the Symphony Academy Year-End Celebration, where the winning tickets will be drawn. Come enjoy refreshments and music at 6:00 p.m. on May 13, 2008 at the Temple for Performing Arts.