The Des Moines Symphony’s 89th Season Debut: Unity – American Mosaic & West Side Story will mark the fifth 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.
Harriet S. and J. Locke Macomber Concerts
- 2022-2023 / 85th Season: Featuring Classical Guitarist Sharon Isbin performing Christopher Brubeck'sAffinity: Concerto for Guitar & Orchestra
- 2023-2024 / 86th Season: Renowned Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers performing Arturo Marquez' Fandango
- 2024-2025 / 87th Season: World-class Pianist Olga Kern performing Beethoven's Emperor Concerto
- 2025-2026 / 88th Season: Groundbreaking American Sextet Eighth Blackbird performing Viet Cuong's Vital Sines
- 2026-2027 / 89th Season: The Des Moines Symphony partnered with orchestras from across the country to commission American Mosaic, a piece by Peter Boyer featuring historic narration and gorgeous videography by Joe Sohm, in celebration of America's 250th Birthday
It is through the generosity of donors such as the Macombers that the Des Moines Symphony can continue bringing exciting and enriching symphonic experiences to the Greater Des Moines area.
