1. Des Moines Symphony Academy: Programs & Scholarships
The Des Moines Symphony Academy welcomed nearly 500 students each week for lessons and ensemble rehearsals. Of those students, many received need-based scholarships totalling more than $20,000. And in March, thousands of area 4th and 5th grade students joined us at the Civic Center for our annual Youth Concerts.
2. Showcasing New Voices
The Orchestra performed a variety of new works by up-and-coming composers, including Valerie Coleman's raucous Seven O'Clock Shout, John Wineglass's profound Alone Together, Anna Clyne's This Midnight Hour, two exciting pieces by Arturo Márquez, Danzón No. 6 and Fandango for Violin & Orchestra, Gabriela Lena Frank's Escaramuza, Viet Cuong's Renewal for Percussion Quartet & Orchestra.
3. Free Summer Pops
More than 100,000 Iowans joined us for Yankee Doodle Pops and Water Works Pops! As one of Iowa's favorite Independence Day traditions, Yankee Doodle Pops was performed live for an enthusiastic audience and broadcast statewide on Iowa Public Television and Iowa Public Radio. Water Works Pops brought the music of ABBA to life in its fourth consecutive year.
4. Meaningful Community Partnerships
The Symphony is part of a wonderful, vibrant community. It has been our pleasure to partner with the Latino Heritage Festival, The Varsity, the Food Bank of Iowa, the Iowa Culinary Institute, DART Transit, SingleSpeed Brewing, and various retirement communities to bring the magic of live music into the lives of many people.
5. The Fred & Charlotte Hubbell Visiting Artist In Residence
2023 was the inaugural year for the Fred & Charlotte Hubbell Visiting Artist In Residence program, and we kicked things off in a big way! In February, violinst Kevin Zhu worked with area orchestra students in a week-long residency that came to a close with his performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the Orchestra. And in October, Sandbox Percussion worked with students throughout the metro.
6. World-Class Guest Artists
Every year, the Des Moines Symphony hosts some of the finest talent in the world. In 2023, we were joined on stage by violinists Anne Akiko Meyers (made possible by a generous gift from the Des Moines Symphony Macomber Fund), Aubree Oliverson and Kevin Zhu, cellist Camille Thomas, pianists Gabriela Martinez and Joyce Yang, and percussion quartet Sandbox Percussion.
Thank you for your support.
The Orchestra of today is better than it has ever been, and none of these incredible initiatives would be possible without your support. We hope to see you in the concert hall in 2024 and for many years to come.
