Message from DSSO Music Director Dirk Meyer
Welcome to Symphony Hall!
There’s something wonderful about gathering at the concert hall: for a few moments we all unite in the shared enjoyment of the music. For 250 years, our country has provided a space for us to do just that: come together to share experiences, ideas, and dreams. This season, we celebrate these connections with music that unites and broadens our horizons. And, of course, with lots of music Made in the USA.
If you are looking for blockbusters, look no further! Our season is packed with some of the greatest works of the repertoire: from Gershwin’s An American in Paris to Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, from Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 to Dvorak’s Te Deum.
Maybe you are looking for that hidden gem, or something new altogether? How about some jazzy sounds with Duke Ellington’s The River? Or do you prefer the ethereal sounds of Jennifer Higdon’s blue cathedral? How about a powerful musical depiction of the sea by Stephen Paulus? Or the heavenly sounds of Elaine Hagenberg’s Illuminare? There is so much to discover!
Our season culminates with a celebration of country and community. Copland’s Symphony No. 3, featuring his iconic Fanfare to the Common Man, brings our season to a close. But not before we give the world premiere of Erin Aldridge’s adventurous Fiddle Concerto. Combining all her musical worlds, Erin wrote a piece for herself, the DSSO and her bluegrass band Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold. With a fiddler, a band, and an orchestra on stage, this is an evening that is sure to bring brand new sounds to Symphony Hall!
If you’re still looking for more, how about some Pops? Our performances offer family-friendly fun with our Holiday concert and Pirates of the Caribbean, complete with orchestra and the film on the big screen!
I’m looking forward to celebrating all we have in common this season: our love for music, our love for art, and our love for the great ideals and ideas that our country has represented for 250 years.
Dirk Meyer, Music Director
Saturday, September 19, 7 PM DECC Symphony Hall
America in Motion
Featuring Alexander Sandor, Piano
From Duke Ellington’s swirling jazz-ballet harmonies to the propulsive tango-noir rhythms of the New York City subway, to George Gershwin’s dizzying Parisian fever dream, you’ll want to look both ways before you cross the street—and hold on tight, because tonight’s program doesn’t stop for red lights. Our very own principal pianist Alexander Sandor joins us in the hot seat for this allAmerican jazz joyride.
MACKEY
Redline Tango
GERSHWIN
Second Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra
GERSHWIN
“I Got Rhythm” Variations
ELLINGTON The River Suite
GERSHWIN
An American in Paris
Alexander Sandor
Saturday, October 24, 7 PM DECC Symphony Hall
Close to Home
Featuring Laquita Mitchell, Soprano
Loved ones gathered close around a crackling fire. Neighbors chatting on the porch in golden late-summer twilight. The well-worn pages of a beloved childhood storybook. Tonight’s program is our love letter to finding heaven in everyday moments.
STRAUSS
Four Interludes from Intermezzo
BARBER
Knoxville: Summer of 1915 MAHLER
Symphony No. 4
Laquita Mitchell
Saturday, November 21, 7 PM DECC Symphony Hall
Under Open Skies
Featuring the DSSO Chorus
Breathe deep, open your mind, and stretch your arms wide with us as we celebrate our vast American landscape. From the wide-spaced harmonies of An Outdoor Overture and Howard Hanson’s cinematic “Romantic” Symphony, through the celestial expanse of Jennifer Higdon’s meditation on loss, to Dvořák’s jubilant Te Deum, tonight we explore what lies beyond the horizon.
COPLAND An Outdoor Overture HANSON Symphony No. 2, “Romantic” HIGDON blue cathedral
DVOŘÁK Te Deum
DSSO Chorus
Saturday, January 23, 7 PM
DECC Symphony Hall
Across the Sea
Featuring John Novacek, Piano
Brace yourself for adventure as we explore the New World's ties to the old. We set sail from Ancient Rome with Beethoven's brooding Coriolan — a general destroyed by his own pride — before arriving in New Bedford, Massachusetts, heart of America's whaling industry, with Stephen Paulus' Sea Portraits. We close with Brahms, who poured the wreckage of his broken heart into one of the stormiest works in the repertoire.
BEETHOVEN
Coriolan Overture
PAULUS
Sea Portraits
BRAHMS
Piano Concerto No. 1
DULUTH
John Novacek
Saturday, February 20, 7 PM DECC Symphony Hall
In Sacred Light
A kaleidoscope of perspectives:
Variations on “America” SCHUBERT Symphony No. 8, “Unfinished” BACH Cantata No. 4, Christ Lag in Todesbanden HAGENBERG Illuminare Featuring the DSSO Chorus and DSSYO Youth Symphony
IVES
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee”, filtered through Charles Ives’ shifting lenses. Fragments of a brilliant Schubert symphony left mysteriously unfinished. An old Lutheran hymn refracted and retold by Bach. A journey from light to darkness and back again, pieced together from a mosaic of sacred texts. Tonight’s program represents the American ideal of individual voices converging into one, unified whole.
DSSO Chorus and DSSYO Youth Symphony
Saturday, May 15, 7 PM
DECC Symphony Hall
New Frontiers
Featuring Erin Aldridge, Violin with Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold
America's music, like the nation itself, belongs to everyone. We celebrate that spirit with a whirling masquerade waltz from trailblazer Amy Beach, followed by the world premiere of Erin Aldridge’s boundaryblurring, bluegrass-inspired fiddle concerto, featuring Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold. We close with Copland's towering, boisterous Third Symphony featuring its famous Fanfare for the Common Man.
BEACH
Bal Masqué, op. 22
ALDRIDGE
Fiddle Concerto No. 1, “Smoky Gold”
COPLAND Symphony No. 3
DULUTH SUPERIOR SYMPHONY
Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold
Saturday, December 5
Casual Concert 2 PM*
Evening Concert 7 PM
DECC Symphony Hall
The Heart of the Holidays
Featuring Jeans 'n Classics
Kick off your holiday season with us as we partner with Peter Brennan’s Jeans ’n Classics to bring every era of holiday music to life. From Judy Garland and Bing Crosby to Joni Mitchell and Wham!, this show delivers nostalgic classics and modern pop-rock favorites accompanied by rich orchestrations and powerhouse vocals. Warm, joyful, and packed with singalong moments, it’s the perfect way to turn up the holiday spirit.
*Casual Concert not included in subscription.
General Admission | Adults $15 | Children 17 and younger free
Saturday, April 3, 7 PM
Sunday, April 4, 2 PM*
DECC Symphony Hall
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in Concert
The DSSO Film Series presents Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in Concert, featuring Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer's score performed as live accompaniment to the full film on the big screen. Set in the 18th-century Caribbean Islands, eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow teams up with blacksmith Will Turner to reclaim his beloved ship the Black Pearl—and rescue the Governor’s daughter, Elizabeth Swann—from Captain Barbossa and his cursed crew. Starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley.
*2 PM concert not included in subscription.
TICKETS & SUBSCRIPTIONS
Pick your subscription level and seats, then sit back and enjoy a full season of great music.
* Subscription terms and conditions along with Military, First Responder, and Student eligibility avilable at DSSO.com/terms.
Subscription Renewals: on sale now through June 18
New Subscriptions: on sale July 1
Single Tickets: on sale August 1
MAIN FLOOR
Why become a season subscriber?
Season subscribers get the best seats, the best prices, and the most flexibility–plus a few extras that make the whole experience a little easier.
� Seat(s) of your choice* for every concert, guaranteed each year.
� Bring a friend for free! Subscribers get one complimentary Buddy Ticket per subscription package per season.
� Can’t make a concert? Let us know ahead of time to exchange your tickets for a different performance, or bank the ticket balance for use later in the season.**
� Subscribers save 15% on DSSO Shuttle Fare.
� Purchase extra single tickets at a discount throughout the season.***
� Lost your tickets? Let us know and we’ll reprint or resend them for free!
*Subject to availability
**Arrangements to exchange tickets may be made up to one hour before the performance start time. Ticket exchanges are subject to availability. Unused ticket credit may not be transferred between seasons and expires in June. Expired balances will be processed as tax-deductible contributions.
***Call or email the Box Office to redeem.
The Nutcracker is not included in subscriptions. Scan the QR code or visit MinnesotaBallet.org to purchase tickets.
Shuttle Service
The DSSO offers two shuttle routes to Symphony Hall: one originating in Superior, WI, and one originating at Ecumen Lakeshore. An annual DSSO Shuttle Pass is available for sale with your subscription order for $100, which includes a ride to and from each of our six Masterworks concerts and both 7 PM Pops concerts. Individual shuttle passes are available for $15 each concert and may be purchased online or by calling the DSSO Office. Subscribers save 15% on shuttle fare.
Visit DSSO.com/shuttle to learn more.
A special thank you to Steve Mattson of Zenith City Photography for the wonderful photography used throughout this brochure!
YOUTH ORCHESTRAS PROGRAM
For over 85 years, thousands of young musicians throughout the Northland have found inspiration in the Duluth Superior Symphony Youth Orchestras program (DSSYO).
The DSSYO allows these young musicians to sharpen their music skills through a variety of experiences with DSSO conductors and musicians in rehearsals, sectionals, and side-by-side performances.
2026-2027 Concert Schedule
October 24, 2026 Eek! The Depot Concert
January 24, 2027 62nd Annual Lollipop Concert
February 20, 2027 Masterworks 5 (Youth Symphony Side-by-Side with DSSO)
May 2, 2027 Spring Concert
Visit DSSO.com/youth for more information.
DSSYO SPONSORS
Message from DSSO Board of Directors
President Branden Robinson
Dear Friends,
It is remarkable to already be looking ahead to the 2026–2027 concert season. This season promises familiar favorites, exciting new sounds, meaningful collaborations, and moments of both reflection and celebration.
As we honor our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are invited to reflect on our shared history, celebrate our cultural heritage, and look forward to our collective future.
Music has the power to connect, heal, and transcend. Orchestral music remains enduring and versatile, forming the foundation for many of the musical traditions we cherish today.
I encourage you to share this season with friends and loved ones. Invite
someone who has never experienced live orchestral music and allow them to discover its power, emotion, and precision. The experience can be truly transformational.
For 95 years, the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra has been an essential part of the Twin Ports’ cultural landscape. Your season subscription, ticket purchase, or charitable gift helps ensure the DSSO can continue delivering exceptional performances for generations to come.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, we celebrate the enduring power of music and community.
Yours in the arts,
Branden H. Robinson President, DSSO Board of Directors
North Shore Bank is a locally-owned and managed, independent, community bank that has been operating in the Duluth area for over 110 years. North Shore Bank has always been rooted here in our community. They offer personal, business, and private banking; mortgage services, insurance, and trust & investment services.
DSSO CHORUS
Founded in 1959, the volunteer DSSO Chorus is an integral part of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, regularly joining the orchestra for choral masterworks, operas, and pops concerts.
The DSSO Chorus has performed an impressive range of choral masterpieces, from monumental works like Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and Mahler's "Resurrection" Symphony to vibrant and dramatic favorites such as Orff's Carmina Burana and Bizet's Carmen. Their repertoire also includes Michael Tippett's A Child of Our Time, Brahms' and Fauré's Requiems, and Handel's Messiah. Interested in joining?
We're looking for volunteer singers. Email chorus@dsso.com for more information.
Richard Carrick, Chorus Director
SUPPORT THE ORCHESTRA
The DSSO’s vision is to create a stronger community through the power of music. Have you had a transformative experience with music in your life? Maybe a memory of making music or listening to music that stands out in your mind? You could be a part of creating that experience for new generations of music lovers!
INDIVIDUAL GIVING
Your gift of any amount supports the music and musicians of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra.
CORPORATE & FOUNDATION GIVING
Partner with the DSSO to strengthen arts and culture in our community through sponsorships and philanthropic support.
CHAIR SPONSORSHIPS
Connect with a member of the orchestra through a sponsorship that goes beyond the stage.
PLANNED GIVING
Create a lasting legacy for symphonic music by including the DSSO in your estate plans.
QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS
Are you 70½ or older? You can support the music you love with a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA. Please consult your tax or financial advisor for more information.
GIFTS OF STOCKS, BONDS, AND MUTUAL FUNDS
Investment markets have done very well over the last several years. Share that success by making a tax-smart contribution of appreciated securities directly to the DSSO.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Donate your time and talents behind the scenes to help make concerts possible.
How to Give
� In Person: Stop by our table in the lobby at any concert. We love hearing your stories and would be honored to say thank you in person.
� By Phone: Call us at 218-623-3776. We're happy to process your gift over the phone and always love hearing from you.
� Online: Donate securely at DSSO.com/give.
� Bank Transfer: Join other monthly DSSO contributors by authorizing a recurring debit transfer directly from your account. Simple, automatic, and greatly appreciated.
� Securities Transfer: Contact our office for instructions on transferring stock or other securities.
� By Mail: Send a check to Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra 506 West Michigan Street Duluth, MN 55802
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
We are pleased to offer a big thank you to our institutional supporters for the 2025-2026 season. Their generous support made it possible for the DSSO to bring world-class concerts, educational programs, and community outreach to the Northland.
The Moses G. and Julie M. Smith Foundation proudly expands access to live orchestral music by sponsoring concert tickets for underserved audiences throughout our community.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.