The Des Moines Symphony’s 87th Season Debut: The Emperor will mark the third annual Harriet S. and J. Locke Macomber Concert. The Harriet S. and J. Locke Macomber Des Moines Symphony Fund — a $5 million endowment — was established at the direction of Harriet Macomber upon her passing in 2020. Administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the Macomber Des Moines Symphony Fund enables the Symphony to create exciting, innovative programming designed to sustain and build the Symphony’s audience while growing the Orchestra’s artistic standard of excellence.
The Macombers were amongst the most devoted of Symphony supporters. Harriet’s husband, Locke Macomber, was the Symphony’s treasurer from 1964 to 1965 before being elected president in 1968. Mr. Macomber was a loyal member of the Board until 1986. After Mr. Macomber’s passing in 1998, Harriet continued her involvement with the Symphony. In addition to routinely attending performances and concert discussions, Harriet was a generous Symphony Annual Fund supporter.
The two previous Harriet S. & J. Locke Macomber Concerts opened the Symphony’s 85th and 86th seasons. The 2022 concert featured classical guitarist Sharon Isbin and in 2023, renowned violinist Anne Akiko Meyers. The upcoming concerts on Saturday, September 28 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, September 29 at 2:30 PM will be the third annual Macomber Concerts, debuting the Des Moines Symphony’s 87th season alongside world-class pianist, Olga Kern.
It is through the generosity of donors such as the Macomber’s, that the Des Moines Symphony can continue bringing exciting and enriching symphonic experiences to the Greater Des Moines area.
