Thursday

06-05-2025 Vol 1982

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 125 Years of Musical Excellence

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) marks a historic milestone this year as it celebrates its 125th anniversary, establishing itself as the oldest symphony orchestra in Texas and one of the oldest in the United States.

This special anniversary season will feature an exciting lineup of concerts that will reflect the DSO’s rich history, tracing its origins back to a concert performed by a group of 40 musicians in 1900.

With a nod to its past, the DSO is crafting an unforgettable concert season, showcasing significant moments, artists, and music from its remarkable journey through the years.

“We are delighted to unveil an extraordinary concert season that celebrates the DSO’s 125th anniversary,” said President & CEO Michelle Miller Burns. “We look forward to welcoming audiences to experience the joy of 125 years of music with us at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.”

Date nights in the Dallas Metroplex often include fabulous performances by the DSO that promise world-class musical experiences, characterized by uplifting, entertaining, and inspiring performances.

As one of the beloved pillars of the Dallas cultural landscape, the DSO continues to captivate audiences with engaging musical offerings.

This year, the DSO will host a series of free public concerts as part of the 2025 Park Concert Series, beginning with the Memorial Day concert at Flag Pole Hill on May 26.

This concert, along with others scheduled throughout June at various parks, will provide the community a wonderful opportunity to enjoy music under the stars, with fireworks planned as part of the Memorial Day festivities.

Notable events in the series include concerts at Exall Park, Kidd Springs Park, Fretz Park, and Paul Quinn College.

In addition to park performances, the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center will host several special presentations throughout the season:

The Pops Series is set to dazzle audiences with spectacular shows, including Troupe Vertigo’s “Cirque Noir” (Sept. 26-28, 2025), an elegant fusion of stunning visuals and aerial artistry inspired by film noir, complemented by a jazz-influenced score by Jeff Tyzik.

The Pops Through Time: Iconic Scores & Classic Hits (Nov. 14-16, 2025) promises to take listeners on a nostalgic journey through beloved film music.

Other highlights include a celebration of Latin pop with “La Vida Loca” (Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, 2026), featuring orchestral arrangements of hits from the 1990s and 2000s, and a patriotic concert in honor of America’s 250th Anniversary (April 10-12, 2026), featuring the US Naval Academy’s Men’s & Women’s Glee Clubs.

Further enriching the concert season, the DSO will host engaging performances such as “Icons of the Strip: Sinatra & The Rat Pack” (June 19-21, 2026), a musical homage to legendary crooners alongside renowned vocalist Paul Loren.

Also scheduled for performance are Dolly Parton’s “Threads: My Songs in Symphony” (Oct. 24–26, 2025) featuring fresh orchestrations of her classic hits, and Schubert’s “Winterreise” (Oct. 27, 2025), a moving song cycle depicting a traveler’s journey through emotional despair.

The DSO will also continue its successful Movies-in-Concert series with live orchestral performances of iconic film scores, including:

“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (Sept. 4-7, 2025), “Home Alone” (Dec. 5-7, 2025), and “Top Gun: Maverick” (May 22-24, 2026).

In the Texas Instruments Classical Series, listeners will be treated to exceptional classical performances, including Mahler’s Fourth Symphony (Oct. 2 & 5, 2025) and the monumental Eighth Symphony, or the “Symphony of a Thousand” (May 15 & 17, 2026).

The DSO will also explore Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9 (Jan 15 & 16, 2026), a piece that remains unfinished, showcasing the rich emotional breadth of classical music.

Meanwhile, the Turtle Creek Chorale, an ensemble that has been enchanting audiences for 45 years, proudly celebrates its past and future with its own vibrant 2025 season.

Recognized for its transformative role in the community, the Turtle Creek Chorale continues to deliver stunning performances that bring music to life through compelling storytelling and powerful artistry.

Artistic Director Sean Baugh emphasizes, “Live performance is not only something you hear, but something you feel,” reinforcing the extraordinary impact of the Chorale’s concerts.

This season features an exceptional lineup, including:

“Disney PRIDE in Concert” (June 26-27), where the Chorale collaborates with a 30-piece orchestra to celebrate beloved Disney classics.

The iconic Broadway musical “Guys & Dolls” will be presented (Aug. 15-17) in partnership with Lyric Stage, providing audiences with a delightful experience of musical comedy.

Groundless Ground (Sept. 17) will explore themes of resilience and hope, performed at the Meyerson Symphony Center in collaboration with the Women’s Chorus of Dallas.

The Chorale will also host its fifth annual gala, Rhapsody (Sept. 20), to continue supporting its mission to educate and inspire through music.

In a heartwarming conclusion, the Chorale will present “All is Calm,” recounting the poignant story of the 1914 Christmas Truce, showcasing the spirit of peace and unity through music.

Tickets for both the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Turtle Creek Chorale are available online at DallasSymphony.org and TurtleCreekChorale.com.

Under the direction of renowned Maestro Fabio Luisi, the DSO is dedicated to serving as an inspiring cultural institution within the Southwest, presenting over 150 concerts each year at the famed Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, one of the premier concert venues in the world.

The upcoming season promises a celebration of 125 years of music, a testament to the DSO’s enduring legacy and its commitment to captivating audiences with its rich and vibrant traditions.

image source from:https://www.crosstimbersgazette.com/2025/05/26/travel-with-terri-dallas-symphony-orchestra-celebrates-125-years-of-musical-excellence/

Abigail Harper